Wigan Warriors have confirmed the signing of Ryan Hampshire on a one-year contract with further options in the Club’s favour for two more years.
The Wakefield-born fullback/halfback came through the Wigan system where he played under Matt Peet, then Wigan’s Academy Coach. He played 30 First-Team games for Wigan scoring nine tries and 24 goals.
He left Wigan in 2016 and has since had spells with Leigh Centurions, Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers. The Normanton Knights junior already has the Wigan heritage number #1048 having made his debut in 2013 in a 33-32 win over Widnes at the Halton Stadium.
Head Coach, Matt Peet said: “I have stayed in contact with Ryan over the years and know him well. When the possibility came up to sign him, I discussed it fully with my coaching team and our playing group. We believe Ryan is a talented player and we can bring even more out of him.
“He will provide important backup options across halfbacks, full-back and three-quarters and can drive competition for places.
“Ryan is recovering from a long-term ACL injury but our experienced medical team have performed stringent medicals to ensure that he is where he needs to be. Plans have been put in place to guide him through the final two months of rehabilitation.”
He added: “Ryan has always been a committed professional and a great trainer and I am confident that we are now getting a mature rugby player with exactly the right attitude to fit in with the selfless, team-culture environment so important to Wigan’s whole approach and I know our fans will give him a warm welcome”
Now Hampshire has spoken about how excited he is to be back saying that they have the best facilities in Super League:
“It’s an exciting opportunity to be back and looking around the facilities, it’s probably the best in Super League by far. I’m still three months off getting fit so I’ve got to work hard,” he said on Betfred’s YouTube channel.
“It’s been six months since the operation, seven months since I did it. We’re looking at the end of April until I come back. It’ll be hard work from here but it’s a challenge I need to get through.
“I want to finish the story I created when I first signed here at 16, I left at 20 which is still very young, but when this opportunity came up I just took it. To finish the story is all I really want to do.”
