A former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers winger has found himself a new club for the 2026 season, signing with a side in the Championship.
The Championship season is well under way with two rounds played already whilst clubs in the competition have already featured in the Challenge Cup, and ahead of this weekend’s third round of the Challenge Cup, one Championship side have made a new signing.
Batley Bulldogs, who will face Catalans Dragons this weekend, have added some quality to their side with former Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Featherstone Rovers man Derrell Olpherts signed for the 2026 season.
Olpherts was left without a club after Featherstone Rovers entered administration back in January but he’s now found a new side, making the switch to Batley where a number of former Featherstone players have signed including captain Ben Reynolds.
The 34-year-old winger played 26 times for Featherstone in 2025, scoring an impressive 18 tries and he’ll now take those talents to Batley.
Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Derrell Olpherts makes Championship move
Olpherts had previously torn the Championship up in the 2024 season whilst at Wakefield Trinity, scoring 27 in 28 that campaign as the Trin dominated in the second-tier.
He had joined Wakefield from Leeds Rhinos, where it never quite worked out, as he played just 14 games following his move from Castleford Tigers, for whom he had scored 18 in 26 the year prior.
Announcing their new signing, Batley took to social media: ”We are thrilled to announce the signing of former Super League powerhouse Derrell Olpherts for the 2026 season.”
They noted his Championship prowess as well, adding: “His 2024 campaign with Wakefield was nothing short of dominant, where he secured a historic treble—lifting the Grand Final Trophy, League Leaders’ Shield, and the 1895 Trophy—while scoring an incredible 27 tries in 28 games. Most recently, he continued his scoring streak at Featherstone with 18 tries in 26 appearances.
”With a career total of 139 tries in 232 appearances, Derrell is a proven finisher. Now, he’s a Bulldog.”
The winger could be in line for a debut this Sunday at home to Catalans in the Challenge Cup.
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✍️ 𝙊𝙇𝙋𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙏𝙎 𝙅𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘽𝙐𝙇𝙇𝘿𝙊𝙂𝙎!
We are thrilled to announce the signing of former Super League powerhouse Derrell Olpherts for the 2026 season.
Olpherts brings both experience and depth to James Ford’s squad. With a resume featuring at top-flight clubs… pic.twitter.com/e2pDVvQE5y
— Batley Bulldogs RLFC (@BatleyRLFC) February 3, 2026
