Wade To Leave Wigan For Union Return At Newcastle

Christian Wade will time off reigning Super League champions Wigan Warriors astatine nan extremity of nan rugby convention play successful bid to return to rugby national pinch Newcastle Red Bulls from December.

The 34-year-old crossed codes to subordinate Wigan connected a short-term woody from Gloucester astatine nan extremity of nan 2024-25 Premiership play but could not make a lasting effect successful nan 13-a-side game.

Wade made 2 appearances for Wigan and scored tries successful both, but committed persistent handling mistakes erstwhile fielding precocious kicks successful their defeat by Hull FC successful July, which was nan past clip he played for nan Warriors.

The second-highest try-scorer successful Prem history - conscionable 8 down Chris Ashton's grounds - Wade's imminent presence is 1 of nan first cardinal moves by Newcastle pursuing their takeover by Red Bull.

"It's been an absolute honour to beryllium progressive pinch a awesome nine for illustration Wigan Warriors, and they've been awesome pinch me," Wade said., external

"I've ne'er been personification to awkward distant from a challenge, I've learnt a batch from nan acquisition and it's a typical organisation.

"Their fans are incredible, much for illustration a shot crowd pinch really tribal they are, and I've been proud to correspond them."

Wigan caput coach Matt Peet paid tribute to Wade's professionalism and committedness during his clip pinch nan Warriors.

"We've really enjoyed having him successful nan group and we wish him and his family each nan very champion arsenic he moves connected to this breathtaking caller section pinch Newcastle. It is clear to spot why he has had specified an outstanding career," Peet said., external

A sporting trailblazer, Wade antecedently scored 82 tries successful 7 play pinch Wasps earlier taking up American Football, arsenic he joined nan Buffalo Bills arsenic portion of nan NFL's International Player Pathway successful 2019.

He scored a 65-yard touchdown connected his debut for nan Bills during pre-season, but ne'er made a regular-season appearance.

He returned to rugby national successful 2022 pinch a move to French nine Racing, earlier linking up pinch Gloucester successful 2024.

Wade scored 11 tries successful 14 games for Gloucester earlier swapping from 1 Cherry and Whites to different earlier this summer, pinch his woody astatine Wigan keeping him pinch nan reigning Super League and World Club Challenge holders until nan extremity of this season.

"He performed to a really precocious modular for Gloucester past play and challenged himself by joining nan champion rugby convention squad successful nan country, which conscionable goes to show nan enthusiasm he still has to broaden his knowledge and accomplishment base," Newcastle leader Steve Diamond said.

"I've ever been impressed by his expertise connected nan field, but erstwhile we met a short while agone to talk nan anticipation of him joining america I was struck by what an articulate and eager feline he is, moreover having achieved truthful overmuch passim his career."