Catalans Dragons’ latest addition, Adam Keighran, reveals who motivated his transfer and potential position switch

Catalans Dragons have recruited on a smaller scale than most this season with just five players being added to their squad but one of those is NRL star Adam Keighran and he’s spoken today about his move.

Keighran joins alongside fellow Sydney Rooster, Siosiua Taukeiaho, but has revealed that it was actually his head coach at the Roosters that motivated him to make the Super League switch.

Trent Robinson is the current Roosters head coach and he held the position of Catalans coach prior to making the switch back to his native Australia for the 2013 campaign.

Under Robinson the Roosters have won three premierships, including one in his first season and then back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, and Keighran wants to do the same at Catalans, having not been around for the Sydney premierships.

Keighran told Catalans’ Youtube channel: “I spoke to Robbo (Robinson) and he messaged saying it would be a great opportunity for myself and for my family to come and experience it. He spoke highly of the club and that was an influence as to why I came as well.

“Ideally to win a premiership is the goal for this club and this group of players so if we can do that then that’s the pinnacle but to enjoy footy as well is the goal.”

As well as Robinson’s words of encouragement the fact that the French side had already brought in a fellow Sydney Rooster, Taukeiaho, helped facilitate the switch.

“He was obviously signed earlier than I was but to know he was going to be here and have his family so our families can be together was a big part of it.”

The Dragons get their season underway with a trip to face Wakefield Trinity in round one but Keighran also noted his versatility and suggested where he might play on the pitch.

“I’m a centre at the moment but wherever I end up, I end up. I’ve been a centre for the majority of the last two years but I’ve played hooker, I’ve played half-back, I’ve played lock, I’ve played a variety of positions but for now it’s centre.”

This admission would suggest that the Australian will be a like-for-like replacement for Samisoni Langi, but with Catalans being one of the few teams to have not unveiled their squad numbers for 2023, then there could still be more indication on Keighran’s position.

Still only 25 Keighran does have plenty of NRL experience and with the update of five youngsters joining the first-team training he believes he has plenty to offer to the club as a whole.

“I feel like I can perhaps add some things to even the younger boys as well, I feel that coming from the NRL it’s a similar style but there’s a couple of different things that can be added as well.

“And then vice versa I can take some things away from the boys that have already been playing here so we’re all helping each other, it’s been really good.”