Ryan Sutton will be the latest Englishman to try his hand in the NRL, as the Wigan Warriors prop joins the Canberra Raiders on a 2-year deal.
The deal will commence in 2019 and with the forward keen to test himself in the NRL, the Raiders are excited to have him.
“Ryan is a tremendous young talent who I know was looking for an opportunity to test himself in the NRL,” Canberra Raiders Recruitment and High-Performance Director Peter Mulholland said.
“We’re thrilled to have been able to get him into our squad for the next two seasons.
“He’s been in tremendous form for Wigan this season and we’re looking forward to him having a big pre-season with the Raiders and making the move into the NRL.”
A Super League grand final winner in 2016, Wigan are sad to see him go but did not want to stand in Sutton’s way.
“It is disappointing to lose a player who we have helped develop through our academy and someone who we believe can and will improve in the future,” Wigan Executive Director Kris Radlinski said.
“That said, a Rugby League player only has a short career and Ryan has given five seasons of great service to Wigan.
“Ryan made this decision a long time ago and has been transparent throughout this process.
He made no secret of his desire to play in Australia.
There were actually no negotiations, Ryan knew that he wanted NRL and stuck firm to that.”
A Wigan local, Sutton admits that leaving will be hard but he wants to test himself at the NRL level.
“Being a young lad from Wigan it was a tough decision to make to leave my hometown club but I’ve always wanted to try my hand in the NRL and this was a great opportunity for me,” said Sutton.
“I’m grateful to all of the coaching staff and players that have helped me develop not just as a player but as a person too.
“I am still a Wigan player this year and I am hungry to leave with more silverware and will give 100% in everything I do until my departure.”