Dayon Sambou explains Wigan Warriors transfer move with personal ambitions laid out
Dayon Sambou has opened up on his bold but brave move from St Helens to Wigan Warriors, with the highly-rated youngster settling into life at Robin Park Arena ahead of the 2026 season.
Sambou has been training with his new Wigan teammates for a couple of weeks now after crossing Billinge Hill from St Helens, having signed a four-year contract with the Warriors.
“I’m glad to be here, and I’m looking forward to getting started,” Sambou told Wigan TV.
“It was a bit of a weird one, really. When I came to see Rads (Kris Radlinski, chief executive) and Matty (Peet, head coach), it was a bit of a weird one, but they expressed their interest in me, and I was excited by the thought of change.”
The 20-year-old isn’t the only one to make the bold but brave move over Billinge Hill this off-season, with Sambou’s close pal Jonny Vaughan having also joined the Warriors on a four-year contract. Meanwhile, Wigan academy product Jacob Douglas has gone the other way, signing a three-year deal with the Saints.
“We obviously came through the scholarship and academy together, so we’ve got a good relationship there," Sambou said of his friendship with Vaughan. “But we didn’t really know until it happened that we were coming over here together!”
On the field, Sambou describes himself as a versatile outside-back who is comfortable playing on the wing or at centre, which will give Peet and Co plenty of options next season.
“I’m definitely an outside-back, centre, wing… I’m comfortable playing either of those roles,” he added.
"I like my backyard carries – similar to the backs we already have here – so I think I’ll fit in nicely."
With experienced internationals around him, Sambou is focused on development and consistency in his first year donning the cherry and white.
“There are a lot of great, experienced players that we’ve got here, so I’m just looking to learn as much as I can from them and play as much as I can, really.
“I’d like to have a full season being fully fit and healthy, learning as much as I can and playing as much as I can.”