Davy Litten’s move to Wakefield Trinity will take him from a “very good player” to an “unbelievable player”, Daryl Powell believes.
Litten will depart Hull FC at the end of the season, penning a four-year deal with Trinity that sees him secure in West Yorkshire until the end of 2030.
He becomes the latest signing to be announced at Belle Vue for next year, joining the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Cameron Smith and Mason Teague at the club.
Trinity paid a significant fee for his services, highlighting just how much Wakefield believe that they can turn Litten into even more of a star than he already is.
“We found out that he was potentially available and moved forward from there,” Powell said when explaining the signing. “Having a good chat with him and gauging what he was like as a bloke.
“Shenny [Michael Shenton, assistant coach] knew him previously from his time at Hull, so that was a real good lead-in to what he was like as a person.”
Explaining which of Litten’s characteristics lured Wakefield to him, the boss added: “It gets us on board another young outside back, loads of potential, and I think he’s a very good player now, but I think it could be an unbelievable player.
“We’ve got a decent reputation for helping players to get better. He fits into the mould that we were looking for. He’s a competitor, he’s tough, I think he’s got some real good skill sets.
“He’s big, he’s nearly 100 kilos, so he’s a big physical player, and I think we can help him to you know to grow and develop. If we can do that, then we’ve got an unbelievable player on our hands.
“I’m looking forward to working with him next year. We’ve got a lot in front of us at the moment, don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but yeah, I think he’s going to be an excellent player for us for a long time.”
Davy Litten arrival means current player’s exit as Wakefield Trinity boss offers recruitment update
With Litten coming in, it signals the end of the road for Will Tate, who has been as Wakefield for this season only after signing a 12-month deal following his exit from Castleford.
Tate is on the look out for a new club, with the centre aware that Trinity will not be renewing his contract.
“We’ve toyed with thinking about offering Will a contract,” Powell said. “Davy coming in makes it more difficult.
“We’ve got a couple of young outside backs as well, Robbie Brook and Kian McGann, who are sniffing.
“Will will want to play regular rugby next year, so I think he‘d be better suited if he can go somewhere where he’s gonna play regular rugby.
“He knows that, Will, and he knows what he wants to do. That’s where it’s at the moment.”
With the transfer deadline coming next week, the Wakefield head coach was asked whether any more recruitment could be done on the immediate front, and for their 2027 squad as well.
In terms of the short-term, Powell said:Â “We’re looking, but there’s not a lot. There’s a lot of injuries in Super League, so you’d have to go overseas. I think Leeds have just done that.
“Maybe, maybe not. We may do, but yeah, I think Pittsy [Jay Pitts] is going to be a couple of weeks with his arm, so we’ll see.
“We’ll keep looking, but at this point there’s nothing to say.”
As for their 2027 squad, he said that there “maybe one” more signing to do before their roster is complete. The recent exit of Seth Nikotemo not only opens up salary cap space but a quota spot as well, and that could mean Trinity look down under once again.
He explained: “I wouldn’t have thought there’s too much more really, unless something happens.
“We do have a bit of cap space, and we usually do. We’ll try and spend it as wisely as we can once we’ve evaluated where we’re at towards the end of the season, which we’re getting towards now.”
