The experienced Endacott helped the Vikings avoid relegation

Endacott signed a two-year deal in October but had to wait for paperwork to be completed in order to formally begin work at the Halton Stadium.

"Bringing non-EU nationals into the UK doesn't always flow as smoothly as you'd wish," said a Widnes spokesman.

"But everything is sorted out and none of us can wait for Frank to arrive."

The Vikings, who began pre-season training this week, stayed in Super League by the skin of their teeth last season after the 56-year-old joined for five weeks as coaching advisor.

"The short time I spent at Widnes really whetted my appetite and I'm excited at the prospects for the club," said Endacott.

"The level of support I got from the people at Widnes was tremendous so I can't wait to get back into the team and start going forward.

"It's a tremendous challenge but Widnes is a club with immense potential and that needs to be realised sooner rather than later."

Endacott was involved in player management after his sacking by Wigan in 2001, but found the lure of another crack at coaching too much to resist.