Wests Tigers have confirmed that one of the rising stars of rugby league will depart the club at the end of the 2026 season, after knocking back a reported $6,000,000 deal.
For a number of years, Wests Tigers have propped up the foot of the National Rugby League but things are changing and Wests are on their way up with the club currently sitting seventh on the ladder.
After three consecutive NRL wooden spoons, it’s about time as well. Wests were incredibly aggressive in their recruitment as they signed Penrith Panthers star Jarome Luai on a multi-million dollar deal, whilst they also snagged Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May.
One of the key reasons why Wests could be so aggressive was the fact they had a rising star on their books in the form of teenager Lachlan Galvin, the playmaker who debuted for them aged 18 in 2024.
He would make 21 appearances last year and has featured in all six games for Wests this year but the 19-year-old is off-contract at the end of next year. Wests have now dropped a bombshell statement confirming that Galvin will not be at the club beyond 2026.
Wests Tigers confirm rugby league teen sensation to exit after he rejects $6 million deal
That statement came after the teenager rejected a bumper deal at the club which The Daily Telegraph have revealed to be worth around $6 million, “the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club”.
According to The Telegraph, Wests had offered to upgrade Galvin’s current $350,000 contract which expires at the end of 2026, whilst tabling an offer of around $1,000,000 per season for the five years after that.
Wests had been keen to secure some form of immediate deal so that Galvin does not hit free agency at the end of the season, with rival clubs able to begin negotiations with off-contract players from November 1st.
Despite their monster offer, Galvin has opted to walk away and Wests have now released a statement confirming that the teen sensation will not be at the club beyond the 2026 season. They have also ruled out any form of immediate release.
A club statement read: “We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season.
“Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer.
“It should be noted that the club has no intention of releasing Lachlan from his contract, and he has not requested this.
“The club is focused on winning as many games as possible during Lachlan’s tenure and beyond.
“The club is disappointed, but we move on.”
