Warrington win race to sign Gareth Widdop

The Australian Daily Telegraph have revealed England international Gareth Widdop has agreed a deal to join Warrington Wolves in 2020.

The Wolves have beaten off competition from Huddersfield, Wigan, Leeds and St Helens to sign the 29-year-old, who will walk away from the final two years of his contract with St George Illawarra.

Widdop, who emigrated to Australia as a teenager and currently captains the Dragons, will take a big pay cut to play in Super League with his current NRL deal worth $1.8 million.

It’s a decision that has shocked his current club, but the Halifax-born playmaker wants to spend the remainder of his career in England after a decade in the NRL with Melbourne and St George.

Speaking in November, Widdop said: “There’s no secret I have aspirations of going over to the UK and playing.”

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I have a good relationship with the club and so when the time is right we’ll work together.”

Warrington, who are backed by millionaire owner Simon Moran, are not short of high profile signings and will likely link Widdop up with another former NRL star Blake Austin.

Austin joined the Wolves ahead of the current season and is expected to take the club to another level after losing both major finals last year under Australian head coach Steve Price.