Castleford Tigers

How Castleford Tigers quota situation is shaping up for 2025

by
Ollie Mitchell
September 3, 2024

Castleford Tigers’ quota situation isn’t as exciting as that of most Super League sides.

Ahead of the current season, there was plenty of change. Jacob Miller and Albert Vete were the only quota players left over from the start of 2023.

Liam Horne and Charbel Tasipale remained at the club after mid-2023 deals with the club.

Elie El-Zakhem, Nixon Putt, Sylvester Namo were all signed for 2024, while Albert Vete was released – allowing the signing of Tex Hoy.

Currently, clubs can have a maximum of seven ‘non-Federation trained players’ in their squad – and these players are defined as those that didn’t play three seasons of rugby in Europe before they turned 21.

These rules are much more relaxed than previous rules, which were at one point to only allow three foreign players in most English sides.

Castleford Tigers’ quota situation for 2025

Credit: Imago Images

The Tigers only have six quota players currently.

Jacob Miller, signed from local rivals Wakefield Trinity ahead of the 2023 season, has one year left on his contract, as do all three of their quota signings ahead of the current season: Elie El-Zakhem, Nixon Putt and Sylvester Namo.

Tex Hoy, signed mid-season after being released by Hull FC, signed a further two-year contract extension meaning he’ll be at the club through 2026.

Similarly, Liam Horne also signed a two-year extension this year – also keeping him contracted through 2026.

The side’s only new signing so far for next year is Zac Cini from Parramatta Eels – a much-needed centre contracted through 2026.

This means, as it stands, there are no free quota spots for the Tigers to utilise ahead of next year.

However, there is potential for players’ contracts to be terminated – the most likely probably being either Nixon Putt, or Jacob Miller, who has Jenson Windley battling for his spot after the players’ respective recent performances.