Hooker Oli Burton joins Hornets for 2025

Rochdale Hornets have confirmed their third new signing ahead of the 2025 season, with promising hooker Oli Burton joining the club on a one-year deal.

The 22-year-old arrives at the Crown Oil Arena following his recent departure from Betfred Championship side Batley Bulldogs.

Burton has spent the first four seasons of his senior career at Batley, while also enjoying a couple of short-term loan moves to Hunslet during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

In total, the former England and Leeds Rhinos academy man made 35 appearances for his former club, 21 of which came last season. 

He follows in the footsteps of Tom Ashton and Josh Johnson by linking up with Gary Thornton’s squad ahead of the new campaign.

On his move to the Hornets, Burton said: “I’m really excited to be joining Rochdale.

“The club has big ambitions going forward, and hopefully I can be a good addition to the squad and push for big things next season.”

Rochdale Hornets’ head coach Gary Thornton said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have completed the signing of Oli. He is a quality hooker with League 1 and Championship experience, and he came through a great academy system at the Rhinos.

“I targeted Oli as I had seen him a few times this season and knew his history, and thankfully Andy [Mazey] was able to agree a deal to get him.

“Oli is a skilful hooker with pace out of dummy half and an eye for a try, and I’m confident that he will be a real threat to any opposition we face.

“He is a strong defender too, so I am really looking forward to working with him and integrating him into our group for 2025.”

Chairman Andy Mazey said: "The aim of our retention and recruitment process from day one this year was always to retain our best performers from the existing squad while strategically adding to it to ensure progress is maintained in 2025. 

“Oli is a quality player who's coming to us from the division above having initially come through the famous Leeds Rhinos youth system. 

“While at the Rhinos, he was selected by England at academy level, and has spent the past few years in the Championship at Batley. 

“Oli is another quality recruit for 2025, and we are thrilled to have secured his services.”