Playmaker signs for Championship side after leaving Wigan Warriors

One of the players released by Wigan Warriors at the end of the 2024 season has signed a deal with a Championship club.

Ryan Hampshire was one of those who left Wigan at the end of the 2024 season with the playmaker’s contract expiring, however, he has now found a new club.

It was Hampshire’s second spell with Wigan after he initially debuted for the Warriors back in 2013, spending three years there before leaving the club.

He returned in 2023, ten years after his first spell, and played a dozen games over two years generally serving as a back-up behind the likes of Bevan French and Harry Smith.

Hampshire’s final game came in the loss against Leeds Rhinos with the playmaker breaking his arm in that match, something that he has rehabbed during the off-season whilst searching for a new club.

It has now been confirmed that he has signed for Featherstone Rovers with the Championship outfit in need of a playmaker having recently lost Zach Herring and Thomas Lacans, the latter having recently signed for Toulouse.

Featherstone Rovers sign ex-Wigan Warriors man

⚡️ Rovers secure the services of @RyanHampshire…

🤝 Welcome to the Blue Wall, Rocky!https://t.co/ePva7dfhHb#UTR | #BackTheRovers pic.twitter.com/a4521LJf9J

— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) March 8, 2025

Rovers confirmed the signing of Hampshire a day before their clash with Sheffield Eagles with Featherstone taking to social media to reveal the news.

A statement read: “Featherstone Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Ryan Hampshire until the end of the 2025 campaign.

“Hampshire, who has proven himself as a quality player at the top flight over a long period of time, adds further quality to Paul Cooke’s options in the pivot positions.

“Comfortable at half-back and full-back, Rocky arrives at the Millennium Stadium after his most recent spell at Wigan Warriors, the Club he made his Super League debut for back in 2013. In between his spells at Wigan, Hampshire had stints at Castleford, Leigh and Wakefield.”

Speaking on the signing of Hampshire, Rovers Head Coach Paul Cooke, said: “Ryan is a player of genuine quality.

“He plays in the halves and at full-back and will bring speed, strength and skill to our squad. We look forward to him getting out onto the field, contributing to us with his Super League experience. Ryan’s knowledge, we believe, will also help the other squad members in his position improve.”

Hampshire added: “Being able to get back in to training and soon on the pitch after a longer off-season is something I’m excited about.

“I am stepping in to a completely new environment here with Featherstone but they are a passionate club with proud supporters. It is something I’m looking forward to.”

The Flat Cappers have recently been caught up in some controversy with former player Greg Eden alleging that the club have not paid him money that was ‘agreed’.