Canberra Raiders have confirmed the signing of Warrington Wolves star Matty Nicholson just hours after his head coach Sam Burgess accidentally let slip that he would be leaving.
It had long been reported that Nicholson was heading to the NRL to become the latest Englishman to join Canberra Raiders, however, neither club had officially reported the signing.
In fact, on numerous previous occasions, Sam Burgess had knocked back the suggestion that Matty Nicholson was heading to the NRL. However, he slipped up last night.
After Warrington Wolves beat Leeds Rhinos 30-18 live on Sky Sports, both men were interviewed separately. Speaking to Jenna Brooks, Matty Nicholson denied talk of the reported transfer as he answered the question with a straight bat.
Minutes later, Sam Burgess dropped the ball, revealing: “He’s gone, is that not news? He’s going to Canberra next year. That’s just part of it, he’s an ambitious young man. I’d love him to stay but I’m not sure that that is the case.”
Both clubs have now confirmed the news with the Raiders doing so in the early hours, and Warrington just this morning with Wire revealing that the 20-year-old departs for a “significant transfer fee”.
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Canberra Raiders announce Matty Nicholson
Credit: Imago Images
Burgess was quickly informed by Jenna Brooks that Nicholson’s news hadn’t been confirmed, prompting a shocked face from the Wire head coach, but Canberra have followed up quickly and announced the signing of the 20-year-old in the early hours of the morning.
“The Canberra Raiders have confirmed the signing of English International and Warrington Wolves forward Matty Nicholson on a new three-year deal from the beginning of the 2025 season,” a statement on the club’s website confirmed.
“Nicholson made his Super League debut for Wigan in 2022, before joining Warrington in 2023, where he has gone on to cement himself in the starting line-up.
“The 20-year-old made his international debut for England in 2023 alongside current Raiders forward Morgan Smithies against France. He recently played in Warrington’s narrow loss to Wigan in the 2024 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.”
Matty Nicholson will join fellow England international Morgan Smithies, another young star who came through at Wigan Warriors, and the Raiders’ CEO Don Furner commented on the 20-year-old’s arrival.
“The Raiders have had some wonderful success in having young English players come to Canberra and establish themselves as NRL stars,” Furner said. “We’re looking forward to Matty joining us in 2025 and we wish him all the best for the remainder of the season with Warrington.”
Warrington followed that with a statement of their own but the standout line was that one confirming that a “significant transfer fee” had been received for the 20-year-old.
It was announced yesterday that Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead would be departing the club and making a return to Super League, whilst it’s also been confirmed this week that the Raiders will take part in the Las Vegas season launch next year alongside Nicholson’s current club Warrington.
Previously, England head coach Shaun Wane advised against Matty Nicholson making the switch to the NRL, instead encouarging him to remain and earn silverware with Warrington.
