
Wakefield Trinity signing Tom Johnstone has explained why he has returned to the club whilst setting out lofty goals for both himself and the club in 2025.
Johnstone returns to Wakefield after signing a four-year deal following two seasons in the South of France with Catalans Dragons. Whilst in Perpignan, it’s fair to say that Johnstone had a far more successful season than second.
During that 2023 campaign, Johnstone racked up 27 tries in Super League, earning Dream Team honours and an England call-up whilst also helping Catalans to the Grand Final.
Johnstone’s 2024 campaign fell far short of those heights as Catalans struggled and injuries hit the England international, who missed the end of the season with a broken leg.
Now recovered and having returned to Wakefield, Johnstone has explained the motivations behind signing for Trinity whilst explaining where he thinks the team can go in 2025.
Speaking to Super League, the 29-year-old explained: “A big deciding factor in signing again was based on life outside of rugby.
“For me it was my family and being back around them to raise to my kids – and just being back around my siblings and my parents too.
“Then on top of that, I had a good chat with Wakefield, and they showed me all the changes they have made and how they wanted me on board. I knew then that I wanted to be involved.”
Wakefield Trinity star outlines 2025 goals after returning to club

Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
There have been wholesale changes since Johnstone was last at Wakefield with an ownership and coaching change bringing good fortunes to the club.
That ownership change has helped facilitate deals for players of the level of Johnstone and his Catalans and England teammate Mike McMeeken, with Trinity building a squad that many are touting for success in 2025.
Asked what success looks like for Wakefield Trinity in 2025 and what ambitions the club holds, Johnstone made it clear that the club are no longer content with surviving in Super League.
He said: “I’d love us to be pushing for a Play-Off spot and playing in those big games and bringing a bit of credibility back to Wakefield after all these years.
“Collectively, we want to be pushing for that top six. Our fans and the club deserve to see and do something special.”
As for his personal ambitions, he’s made it clear that he intends to return to the England frame and hit those heights of 2023.
Johnstone explained: “A big one for me is playing and mirroring that of 2023 where I’m playing 20+ games, playing for England again – and then there was the Dream Team appearance and things like that.
“That would be a successful year for me, and I want to make sure I’m pushing myself as hard as I can.”
Having missed so much of the back end of the 2024 season, there were concerns whether Johnstone would be fit for the start of the new season but he’s provided an injury update explaining he’s hopeful of making it for Round One.
“We’re just at the end of the injury now,” he explained.
“It’s been a long process, and I had a few mishaps at the start which did prolong it a bit, but these things happen.
“I can’t wait for Round One; Headingley’s going to be a pretty special atmosphere to start the season.
“It might only be Round One but it’ll feel like a Grand Final. There’ll be a big crowd with two passionate sets of fans and I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be a good tester to see where we’re at with the season ahead.”
