Wigan skipper confirms retirement

Wigan Warriors legend Sean O’Loughlin has confirmed he will call time on his illustrious 19-year career at the end of the current Super League season, meaning 2020 will be his final year playing for the Club. 

After playing 457 games and winning ten major honours with Wigan, the one-club man and captain has announced today that he will hang up his boots and that his 19^th season as a Rugby League professional will be his last.

In total, O’Loughlin has collected one World Club Challenge, four Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three League Leaders’ Shields, as well as being named in the Super League Dream Team a record seven times.

On his career retirement, O’Loughlin said: “I’ve always known it would be a difficult decision because it’s something you love doing. To not be able to do that going forward is pretty difficult to take.

“I’ve loved every minute of it. Even seasons when we’ve not won trophies, I’ve enjoyed playing. The reason you start playing as a kid is because you enjoy it and I don’t think I’ve ever lost that enjoyment. It’s got more difficult as you get older, but the enjoyment is still there.

“We’ve got two games left, so for me it’s been all about getting back and ready for that. When Lammy [Adrian Lam] puts a team out on the pitch, hopefully I can be a part of that.”

Head coach and ex-teammate, Adrian Lam, added: “When I arrived, one of my first experiences was playing with some legends. But during my time playing here, Sean O’Loughlin came through and I knew immediately that he would be here long-term.

“He’s potentially the best attacking forward in the world. He’s a great leader. He leads with actions more than words and he’s respected highly by his peers. He’s also a great guy.

“I’ve watched him grow from the young player I knew to the great player he is today; you don’t have too many of these very special one-club players.”