Bears add experienced Chris Vitalini

Bears add experienced Chris Vitalini

 We have made another exciting signing as our pack shapes up with Chris Vitalini joining our ranks for 2018.

Tom Tsang commented:

Chris is a very important signing for us and one we are very excited about. He has been training with us for a few weeks and has slotted straight into our systems and gelled with the other lads really well.

He has accumulated almost 100 appearances at League One level for a combination of South Wales (and West Wales when they changed names) and Gloucestershire All Golds, spanning 6 seasons, as well as international caps for Italy as part of their World Cup qualifying squad. This experience will be invaluable for us as we will have one of the youngest squads in the League this year. 

As a big and athletic loose-forward, second row or prop forward, he covers a lot of bases for us but we will likely be looking to make use of his good handling skills as much as his size and presence. 

I am looking forward to seeing him in competitive action as we approach the new year and the start of the League in February.

Chris said: "I'm really happy to be signing for the Bears this season. I have kept in touch with Paul Emmanueli since last season and he has had nothing but good things to say about the club. When I heard there was a chance to join it was a no-brainer for me. After speaking to Tom Tsang, it was clear this is the right move for me this year.

I tore my bicep in the middle of last season and have been itching to play since. I'm looking forward to getting back into it and getting into full swing in pre season. The Bears finished the end of last season strongly so I am hoping I can come in and make an impact.

My aims for 2018 are to cement my place in the 17 every week and hopefully play a big part in a successful season for the Bears."