On the eve of the 2026 season, Oldham have confirmed that last year’s star signing Ryan Brierley has left the club with immediate effect.
It’s a massive blow for the Roughyeds who have had somewhat of a disrupted off-season with head coach Sean Long departing and the club’s planned pre-season friendly in Benidorm against Castleford also falling through.
Despite that, they’re still one of the favourites for the upcoming Championship season, however, they have now lost their full-back Ryan Brierley with Oldham confirming that the ex-Super League man has requested an immediate release.
The timing of that release comes just two days after Brierley’s former club Salford were granted a licence to play in the 2026 Championship season, with ex-Red Devils winger Mason Caton-Brown successfully leading the bid to take on the club.
Caton-Brown spoke to Serious About Rugby League after that to confirm that plans were in place to appoint coaches and staff with announcements set to land before the new year. It’s unclear if Ryan Brierley is leaving to join Salford, however, his love for his boyhood club is well documented.
Ryan Brierley seeks Oldham release to take on new role elsewhere
The statement from Oldham also did not specify if Brierley’s exit was to take on a playing role or off-field role.
It read: “We can confirm that Ryan Brierley has left Oldham to take up a position at another club.
“The player informed us this week of his desire to be released from his contract to pursue another opportunity, to which we have agreed.
“Everyone at Oldham wishes Ryan every success in his new venture, and we thank him for his efforts in an Oldham shirt.”
Oldham are set to actually open the 2026 Championship season up with a trip to face Salford on Friday 16th January.
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We can confirm that Ryan Brierley has left Oldham to take up a position at another club.
The player informed us this week of his desire to be released from his contract to pursue another opportunity, to which we have agreed.
Everyone at Oldham wishes Ryan every success in his… pic.twitter.com/aeug0GCFId
— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) December 24, 2025
