Shortly before their Good Friday derby against St Helens, Wigan Warriors have announced some major signing news.
It’s set to be a packed out Brick Community Stadium for the 373rd meeting between Wigan Warriors and St Helens as third takes on fourth with the winner set to move into second, following Hull FC’s loss against Hull KR in the earlier game.
Wigan had beaten Hull KR last week, handing the Robins their first defeat of the season in a massive performance from Matt Peet’s side but they’ll need to back it up again today.
The fans will certainly be behind them given the fact the stadium is sold out whilst the fans have also been cheered up by some fresh signing news, with a former rugby union and NFL player set to make the move to the Brick Community Stadium for the 2025 season.
Wigan Warriors sign former former England union man Christian Wade
Announced before kick off, it was confirmed that Wigan Warriors had signed Christian Wade, a former England Rugby Union winger who also spent time in the NFL.
Wade will finish the rugby union season with Gloucester and then make the move to Super League for the remainder of the season.
Announcing the deal, Wigan said: “Wigan Warriors have signed rugby union winger and former NFL running back Christian Wade on a short-term deal.
“Wade, who played for Wasps for seven years scoring 82 tries in Premiership rugby, will join Warriors for the remainder of the 2025 season.”
“In 2018, the 33-year-old left Rugby to pursue a career in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, taking advantage of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme. On his return to Rugby, Wade played for Racing 92 in France before joining Gloucester for the 2024/2025 season.”
CEO Kris Radlinski said: “The new Talent Pool Exemption was created precisely for this type of recruitment. Christian is an exceptional athlete with highly transferable skills suited to Rugby League. His impressive track record speaks for itself and we are genuinely excited about the impact he can make throughout the remainder of the 2025 season.”
Christian Wade said: “I’m excited to join Wigan Warriors, a Club with a tremendous legacy. I’m honoured to be joining a list of legendary players who have played for this Club. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career and I can’t wait to get started.”
Warriors Head Coach Matt Peet added: “We look forward to welcoming Christian and his partner Lisa to Wigan. As well as working hard to learn a new sport, we are expecting Christian to bring his own personality to the team in terms of his athleticism, skill and experience.
“I know Wigan fans will be excited and give him an amazing welcome.”
✍️ Wigan Warriors are delighted to have signed Rugby Union winger and former NFL running back Christian Wade on a short term deal.
Full details. 👇 #WWRL #SLWIGSTH https://t.co/wkt9amQaO2
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 18, 2025
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