A former St Helens man who signed with a Championship club in November has now been granted a release from his contract.
Widnes Vikings have confirmed that McKenzie Buckley has left the club, just over five weeks after first penning a deal with the Championship outfit.
Buckley was one of seven players released by St Helens at the end of the 2024 season but quickly found himself a deal in the Championship with Widnes Vikings.
That deal has now been terminated with Widnes confirming that they released the 21-year-old per his own request. A club statement confirmed the news.
It read: “Widnes Vikings can confirm that McKenzie Buckley has left the club.
“Buckley, 21, joined the Vikings ahead of the 2025 season from St Helens. However, we have now agreed to a request from McKenzie to release him from his contract.
“Everyone at the club would like to wish him luck in the future.”
Who is ex-St Helens man McKenzie Buckley?
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Buckley, who turned 21 earlier in the month, debuted in Super League back in 2022 with that being his sole appearance for St Helens’ senior team.
Since then, he spent time on loan with North Wales Crusaders before becoming part of the St Helens side that won the Reserves Championship in 2024.
Sam Royle, who captained that Reserves side, was another to be released by the Red Vee at the end of the 2024 season alongside Ben Lane, Waqa Blake, Sione Mata’utia, Lewis Dodd and Tommy Makinson.
The likes of Makinson and Dodd have made high-profile moves to Catalans and to the NRL, whilst Mata’utia called time on his career at a professional level. Waqa Blake has recently signed with Bradford Bulls.
After first signing with Widnes, Buckley said: “I’m buzzing to be coming in this season. It’s an exciting year for me and I just want to showcase what I can do and help the team as much as I can.”
It’s unclear where Buckley will end up but all at Serious About Rugby League wish him luck in his next venture.
