Salford Red Devils star Nene Macdonald is the latest to leave the club, however, his exit is part of a short-term loan deal.
Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton and fellow overseas centre Tim Lafai have already left Salford so fans will have feared the worst when they saw news of Macdonald’s exit, however, the Papua New Guinean international has only left on a short-term loan deal.
Macdonald is one of three players at Salford who the Red Devils cannot get under their restricted £1.2 million salary cap and that’s meant that the star centre has been unable to play despite being fit.
Salford’s decision to loan him will help ensure he keeps match fitness ahead of a possible return to play date when the club hopefully have their salary cap limitations lifted.
He has joined Championship high flyers Oldham who lost two outside backs at the weekend in ex-Hull KR man Kieran Dixon (broken arm) and Wigan Warriors’ loanee Nathan Lowe (shoulder tear). Macdonald will add immense experience and talent to the Championship outfit.
Salford Red Devils star Nene Macdonald makes shock loan move to Championship
We can confirm Nene Macdonald has joined Oldham R.L.F.C on a three-week loan. 🔄
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) April 3, 2025
Salford first confirmed the news and many might have simply thought the club were late to their April Fool’s Day joke, but Oldham quickly confirmed the deal.
Sharing a statement, Salford announced: “We can confirm Nene Macdonald has joined Oldham R.L.F.C on a three-week loan.
“The move allows the PNG international to gain valuable match fitness due to restrictions with the sustainability cap imposed on the Club.
“Macdonald has already linked up with Oldham ahead of their 1895 cup clash with Barrow Raiders this Sunday.”
Oldham also confirmed Macdonald’s immediate availability labelling the 2024 Dream Team centre as both a “major coup for Oldham rugby league” and “one of the highest-profile players to ever play at Championship level”.
What Nene Macdonald said after Salford exit
Oldham’s statement also saw quotes from the Papua New Guinean international who stated that he had been “dying to play” with the 30-year-old making just four appearances this year during the period when the Red Devils’ salary cap had been lifted.
He said: “I’ve been sitting on the sidelines all year, watching and dying to play. This opportunity has come up and I want to grab it with both hands.
“I’m as hungry as it gets right now. I have been flying around at training so eager to play and I will give it my all. I am a competitor and I don’t like losing any game.
“I have been itching to play so I can’t wait to get on the field. I know some boys already there who all talk highly of the place. I played with (assistant coach) Joe Wardle at Leigh and Gil Dudson has told me how good the crew is too.”
On his time at Salford so far, he admitted to frustrations, adding: “It has been hard at Salford but we have stuck together. For me at the moment I can’t play at all and I just want to play footy. It is a great opportunity for me.
“Oldham have a similar style and flair to me and like to throw the ball around. Having the green light to go wherever I want on the field is exciting.
“I will bring some flair, I am a competitor, I play to win and I will give this my all. I am here to rip in, I am not here to muck around – I will be going hard!”
