Catalans Dragons will enter another period of transition in the Super League off-season. Last year, they lost several high-profile players, including Tyrone May, Adam Keighran and Matt Whitley. On Friday, news broke that Mike McMeeken would leave the club at the end of the season. He will join current Championship leaders, Wakefield Trinity, on a long-term.
Now, reports in France suggest that two more names will follow McMeeken out of the door. However, there is better news for Les Dracs, as the club is on the verge of three huge signings.
Super League Grand Finalists set to lose pair of star wingers
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According to a report in L’Independant, the side from Perpignan are set to lose their two wingers, Tom Johnstone and Tom Davies.
Johnstone joined Catalans from Wakefield ahead of the 2023 season on a two year contract. He finished last season as Super League’s top try scorer. Johnstone was part of the side that lost in the Grand Final against Wigan.
Johnstone is heavily linked with a return to Wakefield for next season, if they secure a return to Super League and according to the French paper, this move is now done and to be confirmed in the coming days and weeks..
Davies moved to the south of France in 2020 and has been a key part of Catalans’ success in recent years. He has made seven appearances so far this season, scoring four tries. According to L’Indepandant, he will sign a contract to join Hull KR at the end of the season with veteran Ryan Hall leaving Craven Park to return to Leeds Rhinos.
Who will Catalans sign to replace exiting trio?
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On a more positive note for fans of the Dragons, three huge names will move to the south of France in the close season. The first is Jordan Abdull, who is currently on loan from Hull KR. Abdull has been linked with several clubs, but Les Dracs are in pole position to complete his signature. This is despite Abdull being under contract at Craven Park for 2026.
Abdull’s move to Catalans in early Janaury saw eyebrows raised but with Hull KR now having beaten both St Helens and Wigan in consecutive weeks, fans will certainly be learning to trust the process and Willie Peters implicitly.
Tommy Makinson is another Englishman joining Abdull in making the move to Catalans. Makinson’s contract at St Helens expires at the end of the current season. Makinson has spent his entire career with Saints, winning five Super League titles, and it has long been rumoured that he will be heading to the French side.
Finally, according to L’Independant, Oliver Partington will also join Les Dracs from Salford Red Devils. Partington began his career with Wigan before moving to Salford. He has made 106 Super League appearances.
All three will be pulling on the Red and Gold on the Catalans Dragons next season.
