“Significant transfer fee” received by Warrington Wolves as Matty Nicholson joins Canberra Raiders
Just hours after Warrington Wolves star Matty Nicholson’s head coach Sam Burgess unintentionally revealed that he would be leaving, the Canberra Raiders have confirmed that Nicholson will be joining them.
Although neither club had formally announced the signing, there had been long-standing rumors that Nicholson was joining the Canberra Raiders in the NRL and would be the team’s latest Englishman.
As a matter of fact, Sam Burgess had rejected the notion that Matty Nicholson was going to the NRL on multiple occasions in the past. Still, he made a mistake last night.
Both men were interviewed independently following Warrington Wolves’ live 30-18 victory over Leeds Rhinos on Sky Sports. Matty Nicholson responded to a question about the reported transfer with a straight bat while speaking with Jenna Brooks.
A few minutes afterward, Sam Burgess made the revelation, saying, “He’s gone, is that not news? Next year, he plans to visit Canberra. That’s only a portion of it; this young man has ambition. Although I’m not positive if he will stay, I would really like for him to.”
The Raiders announced the news in the early hours of the morning, and Warrington only this morning, with Wire revealing that the 20-year-old leaves for a “significant transfer fee.” Both clubs have now confirmed the news.
The head coach of the Wire was taken aback when Jenna Brooks promptly informed Burgess that Nicholson’s news was still pending. However, Canberra moved swiftly to confirm the signing of the 20-year-old in the wee hours of the morning.
According to a statement on the team’s website, “The Canberra Raiders have confirmed the signing of English International and Warrington Wolves forward Matty Nicholson on a new three-year deal starting from the 2025 season.”
After making his Super League debut for Wigan in 2022, Gibson moved to Warrington in 2023, where he quickly established himself as a mainstay.
In 2023, the 20-year-old made his debut for England on the international scene against France alongside current Raiders forward Morgan Smithies. He recently participated in the 2024 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, which Warrington lost to Wigan by a narrow margin.
Don Furner, the CEO of the Raiders, made a statement regarding Matty Nicholson’s arrival. Matty Nicholson will join Morgan Smithies, a young player who excelled at Wigan Warriors and is also an England international.
“Young English players who come to Canberra and establish themselves as NRL stars have been a wonderful success story for the Raiders,” Furner said. “We wish Matty the best of luck for the remaining Warrington games and look forward to having him join us in 2025.”
Warrington then released a statement of their own, but the one confirming that the 20-year-old had received a “significant transfer fee” was the most noteworthy part.
Elliott Whitehead, the captain of the Raiders, was announced to be leaving the team and returning to the Super League yesterday. This week, it was also confirmed that the Raiders, along with Nicholson’s current team Warrington, will be participating in the Las Vegas season launch in 2019.
Former England head coach Shaun Wane encouraged Matty Nicholson to stay and win championships with Warrington rather than switching to the NRL.
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