John Bateman

2022 - 12 - 27

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Sky Sports"

John Bateman leaves Wigan Warriors for NRL deal with Wests Tigers (Sky Sports)

Wigan Warriors have confirmed that back-rower John Bateman will leave with immediate effect to sign a four-year deal with Wests Tigers in the NRL.

We thank John for his service over his two stints and we wish him well." Wigan Warriors said in a statement: "The club received a significant transfer fee for John. "There has been a lot of change at Wests Tigers over the past few months and everything I hear is positive.

England forward John Bateman leaves Wigan for NRL move (Chard & Ilminster News)

The England international forward previously played in Australia for Canberra Raiders and Wigan agreed to let him go after a “frustrating period”.

Wigan said they would not be seeking to recruit a replacement at the moment, adding: “We have lots of options. The club received a significant transfer fee for John. There has been a lot of change at Wests Tigers over the past few months and everything I hear is positive.”

How the Australian press reacted to John Bateman moves as they ... (Serious About Rugby League)

After months, John Bateman's Wigan Warriors exit has finally been confirmed as he joins Wests Tigers. But what did the Australian press make of the news?

[Daily Telegraph](https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-transfer-market-news-cody-walker-on-resigning-with-south-sydney-latrell-mitchell/news-story/dca2ca180bacd1b8fe4315e5d03f932f) described it as “an impressive signing” and key to the Tigers’ revolution: “England international John Bateman has signed a four-year deal with Wests Tigers as the Tim Sheens revolution continues at the joint venture. “The former Canberra Raiders back-rower will join the Tigers on a four-year deal after being released from Wigan for what the English club describe as a ‘significant transfer fee’.” He said: “Glamour English club Wigan has expressed its displeasure with star forward John Bateman after reluctantly releasing him to join Wests Tigers on a long-term deal. [The West Australian](https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/bateman-joins-nrls-tigers-on-4-year-deal-c-9276986) meanwhile claimed it gives Wests their best chance of making the play-offs in years: “The Wests Tigers’ hopes of ending the NRL’s longest finals drought appear more realistic than ever after they signed England international John Bateman. [Zero Tackle](https://www.zerotackle.com/ex-english-raider-joins-tigers-makes-nrl-return-126716/) suggested he was a key part of the Tigers’ rebuild: “Former Canberra Raider John Bateman has ended his brief NRL hiatus, signing on with the Wests Tigers for the next four seasons. “Long linked with a return Down Under, Bateman confirmed the game’s worst secret on Monday, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal to join Tim Sheens’ pride.

John Bateman departs Wigan Warriors with immediate effect after ... (Wigan Today)

The 29-year-old has signed a four-year deal with Wests Tigers, as he returns to Australia for a second stint, after previously playing for Canberra Raiders.

The squad numbers have now been signed off and will be communicated between Christmas and New Year. The uncertainty surrounding John's future means that we have had to delay the squad numbers. "With our desire to help England to do well in the tournament, we agreed to wait.

John Bateman to exit Wigan Warriors IMMEDIATELY for 'significant ... (Total rugby League)

WIGAN WARRIORS star John Bateman is set to leave the club immediately following a 'significant transfer fee' for the England international.

The uncertainty surrounding John’s future means that we have had to delay the squad numbers. Now the Wigan club has confirmed the deal, saying: “The Club first heard murmurings that John Bateman wanted to leave in July. He asked to get the World Cup out of the way first, and then pick up discussions.

John Bateman transfer fee revealed as Wigan Warriors provide ... (Yorkshire Live)

Bateman is returning to the NRL after signing for Wests Tigers.

Furthermore, the Warriors have confirmed that they will not sign an immediate replacement, which in part is due to the fact most players are now contracted to other clubs for the upcoming season. He asked to get the World Cup out of the way first, and then pick up discussions. Wigan Warriors have pocketed a fee in the region of £125,000 following the sale of John Bateman to Wests Tigers. "There will be no immediate replacement for John as players have their contracts agreed with their clubs. It is the second big fee Wigan has received for Bateman, having been paid £250,000 by Canberra to sign him ahead of the 2019 season. The statement read: "During the World Cup campaign, John let the club know of his desire to go back to the NRL.

Bradford native Bateman leaves Wigan Warriors for Australia and NRL (Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

BRADFORD icon John Bateman is heading back to Australia for a second stint in the NRL, after signing a four-year deal with Sydney side Wests Tigers.

"The club received a significant transfer fee for John. "During the World Cup campaign, John let the club know of his desire to go back to the NRL. "After speaking to John, his agent and the club in question, we made it clear that we wanted John to remain at Wigan and the matter was closed.