Every Super League man to sign with a Championship club for 2025

There has recently been a surge of Championship signings with many players arriving from Super League and we’ve assessed every one of them.

Of course, there has also been plenty of former Super League players making the move from one Championship side to another but in this piece, we’re focusing on every player who has moved from Super League directly to the Championship.

For the avoidance of doubt, we’ve left out any players who have left either London Broncos or Wakefield Trinity to join a Championship side, instead limiting this to the 11 teams who featured in the 2024 Super League and remain for the 2024 season.

Listing them in order of the clubs that they have exited, some teams have even seen players exit and make the move to League One with new club Goole Vikings picking up plenty of fringe/academy players.

Academy players who were handed first-team shirt numbers are generally listed but some of those players who were released from a Super League academy and then picked up by a lower league side have been omitted to try and keep it within the metric of ‘Super League signings’.

The Super League players signed to Championship or League One for 2025

Castleford Tigers

The Tigers have two on the list with Paul McShane being among the biggest names of any on this list. The former Man of Steel winner has penned a two-year deal with York Knights in a move that sees him join Mark Applegarth’s coaching staff as well. As for Samy Kibula, he re-signs with his former club Batley.

Paul McShane (York Knights), Samy Kibula (Batley Bulldogs)

Catalans Dragons

Catalans have seen both Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone move to Wakefield Trinity, who were a Championship team at the time those deals were confirmed, but no players have signed for a current lower league side.

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Huddersfield Giants

Veteran hooker Adam Milner is one of many to sign for Oldham with Wakefield duo Matty Ashurst and Iain Thornley among the most recent signings at Sean Long’s side.

Adam Milner (Oldham RLFC)

Hull FC

The local and personal connections between Hull FC and Goole has seen three young talents head to League One’s newest club. Sully Medforth has also made the move to League One but the eye-catching transfer is former captain Carlos Tuimavave joining Featherstone Rovers.

Sully Medforth (Midlands Hurricanes), Lennon Bursell, Jeylan Hodgson, Mackenzie Harman (All Goole Vikings), Carlos Tuimavave (Featherstone Rovers)

Hull KR

Butterworth didn’t play a game whilst at Hull KR with both Jez Litten and Matt Parcell ahead of him but this is a signing that could prove to be one of the best in the Championship for 2025.

Reiss Butterworth (Sheffield Eagles)

Leeds Rhinos

Butterworth will have competition from Corey Johnson who has also joined Sheffield Eagles whilst veteran James Donaldson moves to part-time rugby league with a switch to Odsal.

James Donaldson (Bradford Bulls), Corey Johnson Sheffield Eagles)

Leigh Leopards

Former St Helens man Baxter leaves Leigh after loan spells in the Championship where he now lands a permanent gig at Oldham.

Lewis Baxter (Oldham RLFC), Jacob Gannon (York Knights)

Salford Red Devils

The Red Devils have only seen five players depart and with Adam Sidlow moving down two leagues to join Swinton Lions.

Adam Sidlow (Swinton Lions)

St Helens

Arguably the biggest name on this list, Waqa Blake has signed for Bradford Bulls less than 12 months after joining Saints as a high-profile recruit from the NRL. The Fijian international exits alongside McKenzie Buckley who has moved to Widnes.

Waqa Blake (Bradford Bulls), McKenzie Buckley (Widnes Vikings)

Warrington Wolves

Veteran prop Gil Dudson was on loan at Salford for the back end of the 2024 campaign but the Welshman now joins Oldham as the Roughyeds add plenty of Super League experience to their team.

Gil Dudson (Oldham RLFC)

Wigan Warriors

Ryan Hampshire could yet sign with a Championship side but as of now, Wigan haven’t seen a player make a Championship or League One move.

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