Tom Johnstone turns down marquee contract to sign for Super League rivals

Catalans Dragons have confirmed that winger Tom Johnstone has turned down a ‘marquee’ contract in favour of leaving the French side at the end of the season.

It has been widely reported that England international Johnstone will be returning to former club Wakefield Trinity who are expected to be a Super League side for 2025 under the IMG grading system.

His exit has now been confirmed by Catalans who published a press release stating that their winger will leave at the end of the current campaign, despite having been offered a contract extension “with marquee player status”.

That would include a “significant pay increase” per the Dragons but it seems that Johnstone’s head had been turned by a return to England and his former club Wakefield Trinity.

Catalans confirmed: “Out of contract at the end of the season, Tom Johnstone won’t sign a new deal with the Dragons.

“The England international turned down a contract extension with Marquee Player status in the Dragons squad, with a significant pay increase. Despite being given both contractual and rugby temptations to stay, the desire to take his young family back to England, and have that important support from relatives, was something that the Club could not fight against and fully respects.

“He joined the South of France in 2023 and scored 32 tries in 39 appearances so far. Named in the Super League Dream Team during his first season at the club, he was also called back in the England squad the same year.”

“Right time” – Tom Johnstone speaks on Catalans exit

Whilst Tom Johnstone hasn’t confirmed which team he will be joining, the former Wakefield winger has offered a message of thanks to the Catalans fans and coaching staff, particularly Steve McNamara.

Tom Johnstone said: “Firstly I’d like to thank Steve for taking a chance on signing me and giving me this opportunity after a tough few years of injuries and for having the faith in me. Also thank you to Matt Parr for working so closely with me keeping me fit and healthy these past few seasons.

“Without them both, I don’t believe I would have played the amount of games I have and achieved personally what I did.

“I would also like to thank Bernard Guasch, the staff at Brutus and the fans for welcoming me into this amazing club, the atmosphere in the Brutus is incredible and I will remember the 2023 semi-final forever.

“Me and my family have loved our time in this beautiful place, adapting to the proud Catalan and French culture.”

He did then make it clear that it would be an English side he would be returning to, with Wakefield Trinity the anticipated team. Johnstone finished off by stating: “But we feel it is the right time for us to return home to be closer to our family and friends.

“I’m immensely proud of last year although we didn’t quite achieve what we set out for in winning the Grand Final, but I promise I will be doing everything I can to finish my time at this club on a high and win the competition as the club and fans deserve.”

With Johnstone’s arrival set to be announced in the coming days, Wakefield Trinity could have an incredibly impressive team for the 2025 season with fellow Catalans star Mike McMeeken having already joined the project at Belle Vue.