Signings/Contract Extensions

First topic message reminder :

Following on from Kenny's excellent idea to help tidy this section up, and stop lots of different threads about the same things, i have decided to set up this topic.
So any CONFIRMED signings or Extensions you hear about just add them here. For Rumours just put them on Kenny's RL news thread.

BRADFORD

Elliot Whitehead, who was in the final year of his contract, has penned a new deal with Bradford to remain at the club till 2016.

The Beast wrote:Catalan Dragons;

sign Michael McIlorum from Wigan on a 2 year deal,  Wigan also confirm that Anthony Gelling has been released to return home to NZ.

Not surprised about Gelling, but McIlorum, that is to me at least is a big surprise.  Wigan apparently referencing the salary cap as part of the decision making process.

Surprised like many that McIlorum has left Wigan

Featherstone Rovers.

Sign Gareth Hock (Leigh) on a one year deal. They also recently released Darrell Griffin following an alleged breach of contract.

The Beast wrote:Featherstone Rovers.

Sign Gareth Hock (Leigh) on a one year deal.  They also recently released Darrell Griffin following an alleged breach of contract.

A good signing for them as long as he can control himself

Bradford Bulls

Sign Gregg McNally (Leigh) on a 2 year deal.

The Beast wrote:Bradford Bulls

Sign Gregg McNally (Leigh) on a 2 year deal.

Hopefully a good signing signing for them

Toronto;

sign Gareth O'Brien from Salford (undisclosed fee) on a three year deal.

Castleford;

Liam Watts joins from Hull FC for a "significant fee" again 3 years. Shocked at this and Lee Radford parting shot "I would like to wish Liam all the best and hope he can find some consistency off the field to benefit his career."

Whilst not overly bothered but whilst saying it is a significant fee why just come out and say how much. Goes back to the thread on Eddie Hearn and creating interest, a fee announcement might be a good talking point.

The Beast wrote:Toronto;

sign Gareth O'Brien from Salford (undisclosed fee) on a three year deal.  

Castleford;

Liam Watts joins from Hull FC for a "significant fee" again 3 years.  Shocked at this and Lee Radford parting shot "I would like to wish Liam all the best and hope he can find some consistency off the field to benefit his career."

Whilst not overly bothered but whilst saying it is a significant fee why just come out and say how much.  Goes back to the thread on Eddie Hearn and creating interest, a fee announcement might be a good talking point.

Good post Mick

To be honest I was more surprised by the O'Brien move. This i really don't understand.

Watts you can sort of see why, a great forward on his day. But being sent off 4 times in a year, and some of his reported off field things. You can see why Hull have decided to cut there losses.
Personally sad thing about this, is that I feel it means Mitch Clark will once again not be given a chance.

Warrington;

sign former Wigan wing Josh Charnley from Sale RU. Apparently he struggled for first team action at Sale, to be honest Wire have Mitch Brown, Tom Lineham & Matty Russell so for my money he might get much game time there either.

Hat-Trick first game now of course........and I see should Bradford beat Hunslet in the Cup replay it is Warrington away so he will have a field day.

The Beast wrote:Warrington;

sign former Wigan wing Josh Charnley from Sale RU.  Apparently he struggled for first team action at Sale, to be honest Wire have Mitch Brown, Tom Lineham & Matty Russell so for my money he might get much game time there either.  

Hat-Trick first game now of course........and I see should Bradford beat Hunslet in the Cup replay it is Warrington away so he will have a field day.

Fitness will be his biggest problem on his return.
I suspect it will take him some time to get properly fit for Rugby League

George Hotel1895 wrote:

The Beast wrote:Warrington;

sign former Wigan wing Josh Charnley from Sale RU.  Apparently he struggled for first team action at Sale, to be honest Wire have Mitch Brown, Tom Lineham & Matty Russell so for my money he might get much game time there either.  

Hat-Trick first game now of course........and I see should Bradford beat Hunslet in the Cup replay it is Warrington away so he will have a field day.

Fitness will be his biggest problem on his return.
I suspect it will take him some time to get properly fit for Rugby League

Agreed, played and scored yesterday must have wondered what was going on when he received a pass!

Castleford

Have extended Matt Cooks (1 year), Oliver Holmes (2 years), & Greg Edens (3 years), contracts.

Liam Marshall signs new 4 year contract at Wigan

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/43802842

All these are 3 year deals.

WIDNES

Have re Signed signed Gil Dudson.

WIGAN

Have re Signed Oliver Gillard.

HULL KR

Have re signed Ryan Shaw (2 years), and Will Oakes, Joe Wardill, George Lawler & Robbie Mulhern (3 years).

CATALAN

Have signed Sam Tomkins from Wigan.

WIGAN

Have signed Zak Hardaker on a 4 year deal once his drug ban finishes at the end of the year.

Dudson and farmworth sign new contracts at Widnes
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/44125366

Oliver Gildart signs new contract at Wigan
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/44156060

Possibly the worst kept secret in the sport, John Bateman will be playing in the NRL with Canberra for the next 3 years. Thereafter returning to Wigan which is an interesting move.

The Beast wrote:Possibly the worst kept secret in the sport, John Bateman will be playing in the NRL with Canberra for the next 3 years.   Thereafter returning to Wigan which is an interesting move.

Perhaps even more interesting
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/7018619/john-bateman-receives-help-in-choosing-canberra-for-nrl-move-from-mal-meninga/

George Hotel1895 wrote:

The Beast wrote:Possibly the worst kept secret in the sport, John Bateman will be playing in the NRL with Canberra for the next 3 years.   Thereafter returning to Wigan which is an interesting move.

Perhaps even more interesting
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/7018619/john-bateman-receives-help-in-choosing-canberra-for-nrl-move-from-mal-meninga/

Thanks GH, that was very interesting an insight into behind the scenes that we rarely see..

Huddersfield;

sign hooker Reiss Butterworth from Bradford on a 3 year contract. No massive surprise he has been on loan at Castleford and is an excellent prospect.

Disappointed but at least the club are receiving a fee. Probably not a kings ransom but when Jacob Trueman (Cas) and Cameron Scott (Hull FC) left when the club went under for nothing was (another) kick in the stomach.

Catalan Dragons announce that Ian Thornley and Josh Drinkwater are leaving the club. Matty Smith (Saints) has signed and will replace Drinkwater.

Bradford;

sign Jy Hitchcox (Cas) on a 2 year contract from 2019. Really positive news IMO, he or Ethan Ryan outside of Jake Webster with Greg McNally at FB should in theory at least pose a genuine threat.

The Beast wrote:Bradford;

sign Jy Hitchcox (Cas) on a 2 year contract from 2019.  Really positive news IMO, he or Ethan Ryan outside of Jake Webster with Greg McNally at FB should in theory at least pose a genuine threat.

That's a real threatening back line in theory. Pace and some excellent finishers, it what should be a really interesting division. How does your pack look.

Luke wrote:

The Beast wrote:Bradford;

sign Jy Hitchcox (Cas) on a 2 year contract from 2019.  Really positive news IMO, he or Ethan Ryan outside of Jake Webster with Greg McNally at FB should in theory at least pose a genuine threat.

That's a real threatening back line in theory. Pace and some excellent finishers,  it what should be a really interesting division. How does your pack look.

All being well;

Front Row of Ross Peltier, Jon Magrin, James Green & Steve Crossley at Prop with Matty Wildie & George Flanagan at hooker (+ Jordan Lilley).

Second Row Elliott Minchella (a revelation this year imo), Matt Garside (TBC), hopefully James Laithwaite (loan from Toronto until injured), Academy player Matthew Storton played in the two play-offs games and looked comfortable, impressive at 18 years old.

LF Mikey Wood

Waiting to hear whether Dane Chisholm is staying, in fairness Hitchcox may well at least on occasion play at Centre/Full Back.

Top 5 is John Kear's aim which will be very difficult but that squad should be competing around mid-table. I agree it will be a very interesting division, highly competitive with no easy games injuries will doubtless play a part.

Hull KR sign Mitch Garbutt from Leeds on a three year deal. Looks like good business to me, are you happy with this Luke?

The Beast wrote:Hull KR sign Mitch Garbutt from Leeds on a three year deal.  Looks like good business to me, are you happy with this Luke?

Never quite sure with him if he's a limited player giving his all or a talented player under achieving.

London sign Luke Yates
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/46457364