After Wigan Warriors’ latest signing, ten players in Super League are contracted for the next five years or more and we’ve examined each player, whilst also previewing who could be the next off the block for a long-term deal.
With the NRL continuing to flex their muscles and regularly swooping for Super League stars, it makes more sense now than ever before for players to sign long-term deals and we’ve seen a spate of them in recent years.
The most recent of them came this week as Wigan Warriors signed Oliver Partington on a five-year deal, meaning he’s contracted until the end of the 2030 season.
Partington is one of nine players contracted until the end of 2030 whilst one other Super League star is contracted a year beyond that, with their contract not expiring until the end of 2031.
Those ten players hail from just six clubs with Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors both having three players tied up until the end of 2030.
Who are the longest contracted players in Super League?
Jenson Windley (Castleford Tigers)
Despite playing less than 10 Super League games, Castleford have seen enough in teenager Jenson Windley to hand him a five-year deal, something that was confirmed back when the half was just 18.
He’s since turned 19 and will head into 2026 behind the likes of Daejarn Asi and Tom Weaver, from whom he will undoubtedly learn plenty, with a loan move potentially viable for the teen this year.
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
The 2024 Super League Man of Steel and the 2025 Grand Final Man of the Match, it’s understandable why Hull KR have tied Lewis down to a long-term deal.
Securing Lewis to such a deal means the window for trophies remains open for a while longer, whilst also staving off any NRL interest.
Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards – 2031)
The only player in Super League who is contracted beyond 2030 is Edwin Ipape with Leigh securing a blockbuster deal that tied the Papua New Guinean hooker down until the end of the 2031 season.
With a Papua New Guinean team set to enter the NRL in 2028, it’s a very smart move to lock Ipape in and it’s understandable why the Leopards did so with Ipape the best hooker in Super League on his day.
Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield Trinity)
Wakefield have offered out three long-term deals with prop forward Hamlin-Uele securing his in October of last year. Director of rugby Ste Mills called it an ‘easy decision to make’ and if the 26-year-old can move beyond the shoulder injury that held him back in 2025, then he may be proven right.
Jayden Myers (Wakefield Trinity)
Myers is the only outside back on the list, testament to what Wakefield think of the winger who lit up Super League in his eight appearances last season. He’ll turn 23 this season but still hasn’t been handed a starting shirt though the ex-Bradford man has clearly been backed by those at the club in terms of this deal.
Harvey Smith (Wakefield Trinity)
Possibly the most exciting hooker in Super League, Harvey Smith is a player well worthy of such a long contract with the 19-year-old only set to develop further now that he’s playing alongside Tyson Smoothy.
Smith starred on Boxing Day and looks ready-set to be an England international in the coming years.
Ewan Irwin (Warrington Wolves)
The youngest player on the list and potentially the one with the highest ceiling, which is some praise given who else features. Irwin had NRL interest before signing his new deal with Warrington and it’s easy to see why as the 17-year-old looks the part.
Tom Forber (Wigan Warriors)
At 22 and with less than 20 Super League appearances, it seems that 2026 will be the breakout year for Tom Forber given the recent exit of Kruise Leeming.
The hooker missed time in 2025 due to a wrist injury but he’s now set to support Brad O’Neill this year and show why Wigan handed him such a lengthy deal.
Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors)
A former Super League Young Player of the Year, it’s no surprise to see Nsemba on this list as Wigan acted fast to tie the forward down. He didn’t hit the heights in 2025 and even missed out on England selection but the scary thing about Nsemba is that he’s still only 21.
Oliver Partington (Wigan Warriors)
The latest man to join this list with Wigan re-signing Partington on a five-year deal to bolster their pack. It’s a move that makes plenty of sense and one that’s been completed with the loose forward set to enter his prime years.
Who could be next?
Six of the ten players on the list are spine players with three halves and three hookers, as well as three forwards, highlighting a trend in which positions secure such deals. Moreover, the vast majority are homegrown players as it’s understandable that English players would be happy to commit to longer-term deals than overseas players.
Looking at the crop of players off-contract at the end of 2026, players such as Jarrod O’Connor would fit that trend with the hooker in contract negotiations amid reported NRL interest.
As for those off-contract in 2027 who clubs might want to tie down, the likes of Harry Smith and Jack Welsby are obvious spine options who may secure longer deals with their respective clubs, particularly given their homegrown status.
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
