Plenty of confirmed Super League transfers for 2025 have already been announced this year, but there’s still plenty of time for sides to continue their transfer business.
Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of someone that every single Super League is looking at signing – or should look at signing.
One player every Super League club is attempting to sign for 2025
Castleford Tigers – Ben Nakubuwai
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It looked for all the world that he’d be signing for Castleford Tigers earlier this season, but that move never materialised, and the Tigers used their quota spot for Tex Hoy instead.
He’s a player that’s been linked with moves away for a long time, and it’s never felt that he was a huge part of Adrian Lam’s long-term plans.
The Leopards’ own injury problems meant they needed numbers, but now that key players are back fit, they can let Nakubwai leave after two years at the club.
There’s already been somewhat of an exodus at Leigh this year, with key men such as John Asiata making their way through the exit door, but it feels like this wouldn’t be a loss that the Leopards would be as upset about.
That’s not to say he isn’t a good player though – he looked a top talent in 2023, as Leigh won the Challenge Cup with Nakubuwai making 19 appearances.
They’ve already shown a willingness to let him go mid-season, and he’s been loaned out to RFL Championship side Featherstone Rovers, so this could be an option for Castleford now they have another quota spot free, with Charbel Tasipale’s departure.
Catalans Dragons – Luke Keary
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One key man that the Dragons look keen to get through the door, as they’ve looked heavily to NRL this year, is half-back Luke Keary.
This year, he’s been named in the extended State of Origin NSW side.
Last month, the Ireland international signed an extension to his contract with the Roosters that would see him stay there through next year.
Keary is seen by many as being amongst the best playmakers in NRL, despite the Roosters up-and-down start to the campaign, and at 32 years old, he should still have a few seasons ahead of him.
However, he then announced that he’d be retiring after the current NRL season.
Now it looks like he will be joining Catalans for next year, despite contrasting reports.
On Sky Sports recently, Jenna Brooks said: “What about Luke Keary? Will he retire? Won’t he retire?
“My understanding is he will join up with the Catalan Dragons from next season. I understand he has signed a two-year deal.”
She also suggested that Elliot Whitehead would be heading to Perpignan next year in what would be a huge signing.
Huddersfield Giants – Luis Roberts
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The big signing they were looking for was of Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, but he has signed for St George Illawarra Dragons on a two-year deal.
Kevin Naiqama’s contract is up after this season, and he may well retire anyway – he was set to retire before joining Sydney Roosters in 2022 and has since spent two years playing in Super League.
On top of this potential exit, Esan Marsters, who had been a top, top signing for the Giants, will join Salford Red Devils on a three-year deal from next year.
Marsters will be a huge miss, so they’d likely not be completely content with the signing of Roberts, but it seems to be an easy fix if they’re worried about having numbers in the position.
Hull FC – Zak Hardaker
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Almost two months ago, the Hull Daily Mail suggested that the Black and Whites have made the signing of the Leigh centre “for the 2025 season and beyond”.
Carlos Tuimavave is in his final year of his contract at the MKM Stadium, and is yet to have his future determined for next year.
The loan signing of Ed Chamberlain from Leigh earlier this year showed they’re interested in another outside-back, at the very least,
Outside-back Cam Scott has left to Wakefield Trinity, so this certainly looks like a deal that makes sense if he stays out of trouble.
He’s also very adept at full-back, if needed.
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Hull KR – Zach Dockar-Clay
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At the side when the Robins were in the Championship, he was granted early release from his contract after helping them to promotion, so there may be some good feelings between the two still.
KR will surely be looking for a hooker next year – Litten may be tied down, but Matt Parcell will be leaving after this season, with head coach Willie Peters confirming this to BBC Radio Humberside.
Dockar-Clay has been largely playing in the NSW Cup this year, with just two NRL appearances for the Sydney Roosters.
Although his appearances have been at loose-forward and stand-off this year, he’s versatile and capable of playing as a hooker – Litten could be the starting number nine, while Dockar-Clay’s versatility would make him an excellent bench option, capable of giving plenty of players a rest.
They won’t need to make huge starting changes, but this move would require a freed-up quota spot.
Leeds Rhinos – Jake Connor
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We know Leeds have been interested in securing his services on loan, as confirmed by Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson, who said, when asked if the Rhinos had enquired:
“I think there’s been a small little bit of interest, to be honest. But nothing that we can do this week. Obviously, he’s in our squad, we’re going to Catalans, we’re flying tomorrow morning.
“There’s nothing that we could do this week.”
He was the starting fullback until the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Warrington Wolves – since then he hasn’t started a game at all.
Therefore, he could easily be prised away from the John Smith’s Stadium.
Leigh Leopards – Tristan Sailor
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The son of Wendell Sailor, Tristan had reportedly agreed a move to Leigh in the off-season before it was blocked by the Brisbane Broncos head coach, who wanted him to remain with the club.
He’s up against Reece Walsh in the full-back role, and has suggested that he may have to move away to secure a first-team place, despite his 11 games this year so far, as players in the spine of the squad are, on the whole, younger than him.
Leigh clearly really wanted an NRL full-back, but now, David Armstrong has joined the club.
If Lachlan Lam heads to NRL next year, Sailor may be high on the list of replacements, as he’s capale of playing in the halves, but the side still have Matt Moylan for next year too.
Armstrong can play on the wing, so they could both be in the same side anyway – we’ll see.
London Broncos – Derrell Olpherts
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Leeds Rhinos let him go to Wakefield until the rest of the year, but after the confirmed signing of Tom Johnstone for next year, he’ll surely be surplus to requirements at Belle Vue next year.
The Broncos will be in RFL Championship next year unless the requirements to stay in Super League change massively for next year, and the versatile back could be a good option for them, especially as Hakim Miloudi is unlikely to remain with the side next year.
Salford Red Devils – Jack de Belin
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Only contracted with St George Illawarra until the end of this year, the former State of Origin man can play as a loose-forward and as a prop.
Therefore, he could be a replacement for Oli Partington, who has joined Catalans Dragons.
ABC have reported that he wants to stay with St George, where he’s spent his entire career, but there’s no talk of a renewal being likely, so he will surely have to look elsewhere if he wants to continue playing.
Asked if he could head to Super League, he said: “That’s the thing I’ve got to weigh up as well now.”
“At the same time, footy careers are a short thing and you’ve got to cash in and make the most of it while you can. It is a lot, it’s a massive move.”
St Helens – Jake Clifford
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Former Hull FC man Jake Clifford, according to Love Rugby League, is attracting interest from Super League sides, and he could head to St Helens.
The half-back, who has been between the Queensland Cup and NRL games for North Queensland Cowboys, had an excellent year with FC, but wanted to give NRL “another crack”.
His inability to tie down a starting place, however, may mean he thinks of a return to England.
With Lewis Dodd leaving, a space has opened up – and he would likely pair well with Jonny Lomax, making this one of the few realistic moves that Saints could make that would bring them real quality.
Warrington Wolves – Rhyse Martin
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Rhyse Martin has played all over the field for Leeds Rhinos, but is primarily a second-rower.
Jenna Brooks has suggested that a move to another side in blue and yellow could take place.
She said: “Rhyse Martin is off contract at the end of this year. Now, we know that the Rhinos are quite determined to hold on to him. There’s reports suggesting that the Leigh Leopards have tabled an offer.
“Well today I understand that Warrington are also interested in potentially signing the goal-kicking second row so plenty of interest for Rhyse Martin.”
Matty Nicholson could be on his way to NRL next year, with Canberra Raiders reportedly interested, so this could be an ideal way to replace him.
Wigan Warriors – Danny Richardson
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At Hull KR on a season-long loan, it’s incredibly unlikely that Richardson will be with the Tigers next year despite over 50 Super League appearances fot the side.
With experience at St Helens, he was once highly-rated, but his time with Castleford has been less impressive – in no small part due to bad injury problems.
Utility back Ryan Hampshire may be on his way out, being off-contract at the end of 2024 and hinting at wanting to go elsewhere.
Therefore, it seems that the Warriors just need to replace the depth that he offers – as their starting 13 certainly doesn’t have many weaknesses.
This is the kind of thinking that the Robins may have had when signing him, as he’s someone capable of performing for a side at the top end of the Super League table.
In addition, Chief Executive Kris Radlinski has said the side can’t keep all their top players, again suggesting a utility depth option could be the best shout – Richardson could offer that.
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