Salford Red Devils have had sixteen players leave the club in 2025, with the Super League side going through it’s hardest season to date. From being forced to sell players for money to pay off debts, to players leaving due to the the poor ownership model that’s resulted in late wages at times, Salford have had over half of their squad leave since March.
Joe Shorrocks is the latest person to depart, as his loan move to Leeds Rhinos for the remainder of the season was confirmed on Tuesday..
Here is a round-up of all the players to exit the Red Devils over the course of the year, and where they are now.
The 16 players that have departed Salford Red Devils
Ryan Brierley
Club captain Brierley left the club in heartbreaking fashion, as he was forced to leave, feeling he had reached ‘breaking point’. The full back had played 95 games for the club since his arrival in 2022, and has now joined Oldham RLFC as they look to become a part of the expanded Super League competition.
Nene MacDonald
The Papua New Guinea centre took unpaid leave in June to return to Australia, after making five Super League appearances, and a further two for Oldham. The 31-year-old is still contracted to the club for 2026, however a return is unlikely.
Tim Lafai
The centre became a fan favourite at the Salford Community Stadium, as he became known for his impressive flair and skill. Announcing his retirement in March, he returned home to Australia to be with his family. Lafai sent a message to the Red Devils’ supporters group, The 1873, in support of their recent protest against the current owners.
Deon Cross
Cross moved to St Helens in April, after weeks of speculation. Salford refused to sell Cross without a transfer fee, however Saints eventually got their man on a free transfer, and has since gone on to make seven appearances for Paul Wellens’ side.
Marc Sneyd
Halfback Sneyd has been vital for Salford in recent years, with his exceptional kicking game a reason for their success over the past five years. However, in March, moved to Warrington Wolves on an 18-month contract.
Having started his career at the Red Devils, he returned to his maiden club in 2022, and made 83 appearances in his second stint, scoring 662 points.
Brad SingletonÂ
Signing from Wigan Warriors part-way through 2022, Singleton joined Castleford Tigers for an undisclosed fee in March. The former Leeds man made 31 appearances under Paul Rowley, scoring one try.
Chris Hill
Veteran Hill stuck with the club until the start of August, and was a real leader to what became a very young Salford side. Playing the full 80 minutes at some points this season, the 37-year-old left the club to join Bradford Bulls, who are currently third in the Championship.
Sam Stone
Stone joined Sneyd at Warrington in June, on a loan deal until the end of the season. After making himself unavailable for selection, Stone found a new club, with Tom Whitehead and Dan Russell heading in the opposite direction.
Kallum Watkins
Watkins joined Salford in 2021, after a disappointing stint in the NRL. There, a move to the back row revitalised his game and is now one of the league’s best attacking forwards. He re-joined Leeds Rhinos in April, the club he started his career, after making 96 Red Devils appearances.
Joe Shorrocks
The latest player to exit the club, Shorrocks joins Watkins and Chris Hankinson at the Rhinos as they look to push for the top four. The Wigan academy product moved from the Warriors at the start of 2023, and made 44 appearances.
Shorrocks’ move is only a loan, meaning there is a potential for him to return to Salford next year if they have the means to.
Chris Atkin
Joining Salford from Hull KR ahead of the 2020 season, Atkin, along with Jack Ormondroyd, is the longest-serving Red Devils player to exit the club. The 2020 Challenge Cup Final was one of 110 appearances he made for the club, but followed Singleton to Castleford Tigers at the end of April.
Jack Ormondroyd
Ormondroyd has perhaps been the most improved player under Paul Rowley, since his arrival in 2020. Making 111 appearances for the club, he developed from a Championship to a Super League quality forward and became one of Salford’s most important players.
He departed the club a fortnight ago alongside Brierley, as the pair both joined the Roughyeds as they look to earn Super League status.
Joe Bullock
After making loan appearances at Barrow Raiders throughout this season, former Wigan prop Bullock made the move permanent last week. Making the move from Warrington ahead of 2025, the 32-year-old made 16 appearances with the club.
Chris Hankinson
Hankinson joined the Rhinos at the start of the month, after coming through the ranks at the Red Devils. He returned to the club in 2023, and scored eight tries from 36 appearances. He joins Leeds on a contract for the remainder of the season, as he looks to put himself in the shop window for any potential suitors in 2026.
Ben Hellewell
The former London Broncos man announced his immediate retirement from rugby league last week, after revealing he needed a full hip replacement. The 33-year-old has only made four appearances this season, with injury hampering his season. He made 31 appearances for Salford since his arrival at the end of 2022.
Billy Glover
Perhaps the lowest in profile of all the exits as young Billy Glover, who had made just one Super League appearance this year, left to join rugby union side Preston Grasshoppers. His brother, Charlie, remains with the Red Devils.
