Super League star reportedly makes decision on his future

There is a lot of speculation about transfers at the moment including one star centre in the shape of Catalans Dragons’ Matt Ikuvalu.

From the outside looking in it was paramount that the Dragons kept him following the departure of Adam Keighran to Wigan Warriors for the 2024 season as the replacement for Toby King.

Ikuvalu arrived mid-season but only on a deal to the end of the season. There is an option to extend the contract beyond the 2023 season but there were reports that he would not extend.

However, it is now being reported that he has agreed to stay at the French club.

When he signed for the French side, the centre said: “I’m delighted to join the Dragons. I feel great about it all, everyone has been very welcoming so far and I’m excited to play for the club.

“My goals here are the same as they were back home. I want to win a comp and I believe this team can do it. I think the big reason to come here was the life experience that my family and I could gain by moving across the world together.

“Learning a new language as well playing with a good team. I’m also looking forward to linking up with old friends like Siua Taukeiaho and Adam Keighran.”

He will be key to guiding Catalans back to success in 2024 which was something underlined by Steve McNamara after the Grand Final who lamented the disappointment of the Old Trafford defeat:

“I thought we played very good in 2021 but we understood that very good wasn’t good enough to win a grand final. Sometimes you’ve got to be outstanding.

“I said in the press there you know, watch the Brisbane Broncos-Penrith game. Brisbane were outstanding but outstanding wasn’t good enough to win an NRL grand final. Penrith were excellent. And so you know that the standard you have to play to win this game, you have to play your best game of the season or thereabouts.

“Both teams will have to do with that on Saturday night because I know we’re going to be very hard to beat.”