The first signing of today’s transfer deadline has been announced with Wigan Warriors forward Lukas Mason heading out on loan to the Championship.
Super League and Championship clubs have until the end of the day to make any signings for the current 2026 season. After today [Friday, 21st August], players cannot be recruited and play this season with those rules in place effectively to preserve fairness as the play-offs approach.
One team who have big play-off ambitions are Championship club Oldham with Alan Kilshaw’s side fresh off the back of handing London Broncos their first defeat of the league season.
That victory saw Oldham remain third but it will have done plenty for their belief as they head into the play-offs, where London remain near-certain to finish first.
As for Wigan, they’re also challenging but with the likes of Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell expected back in the coming weeks, they’ve allowed 20-year-old forward Mason to make the loan move to Oldham, where he’ll get some valuable experience.
It’s not Mason’s first time at the club with the forward debuting for Oldham back in 2025 when on dual registration. Despite signing today, he won’t feature this weekend when the Roughyeds take on Salford RLFC.
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Oldham boss explains move for Wigan Warriors’ Mason
Explaining the move, Oldham boss Alan Kilshaw said: “It is important that we had enough depth to get us through until the end of the season – and we’ve got that now.
“With the players that we have brought in and the ones we have on loan, we are in a good place.
“With Lazarus [Vaalepu] going, we have brought in Noah [High – Wakefield] and Lukas. We can do some rotation over the next couple of weeks.”
Kilshaw admitted: “We have played a lot of games, with the two cups… it has been nine months of relentless games through all different weathers.
“We would like to thank Wigan for their assistance in getting this deal over the line and I am looking forward to seeing Lukas in an Oldham shirt.”
Mason made his first-team debut for Wigan back in May and he’s since made a further two appearances, featuring against St Helens at Magic Weekend and the round later against Warrington Wolves.
Welcome to Oldham, Lukas Mason ✍️
The Wigan forward has joined the club on loan, ahead of today’s signing deadline.
— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) August 21, 2026
