St Helens star comes out of retirement to join surprise club

St Helens have been busy this off-season drafting in some talented players ahead of the 2024 season.

Among them has been big signings from their Super League rivals such as Matt Whitley from Catalans Dragons as well as former Warrington Wolves star Daryl Clark to replace James Roby in 2024.

Furthermore, they have drafted in former Parramatta Eels star Waqa Blake to take on the number three shirt and replace Will Hopoate as the club’s centre.

The Saints have had some success in recent times with signings from the NRL such as Joel Thompson who retired after his stint at St Helens which was a successful short stint at the club in 2021.

However, despite retiring, he has made the shock return from retirement to join a surprise club in the shape of Currumbin Eagles.

Former St Helens star joins surprise new club

The former St Helens star has addressed the move to the Eagles speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin as he comes out of retirement ahead of the 2024 season in a surprise switch.

“It’s funny, I ran into Matt (Geyer) a few times while on a walk and we got chatting and I told him I wanted to play again,” Thompson told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“Then I decided to come down to training and try it out.

“I have only heard wonderful things about Currumbin and living in the area, I thought I would be foolish to not go there.

“They have been so welcoming already and it has been a lot of fun just to have a run around.

“What Matt has done for that club already and the way he wants to go about it is just another reason why I went down to the club.”

He becomes another big former Super League star to join the lower leagues in Australia such as Blake Austin, David Fifita, Peter Mata’utia and Zane Tetevano as big names keep player at the end of their top tier careers.