John Bateman IS returning to Wigan Warriors

John Bateman will rejoin Wigan next season on a four-year deal.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The chance to move closer to his family swayed the England forward into ending his NRL stint after two seasons.

“I’m very happy to be returning to Wigan on a long-term contract," said Bateman, whose deal also has an option for a fifth year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"On a personal level, some of the best times of my life have been in a Wigan shirt and I can’t wait to return, to play and make some more memories.

John Bateman left as a Grand Final winnerJohn Bateman left as a Grand Final winner
John Bateman left as a Grand Final winner

“It’s been a tough decision but to be back to Wigan, to be at home with my little girl, my mum and the rest of my family is something I can’t wait to experience once again."

Bateman has become the latest player to rejoin Wigan after a stint Down Under, following Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess, Lee Mossop and Sam Tomkins.

Warriors executive director Kris Radlinski said: “Wigan are thrilled to be bringing John back to the DW Stadium.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“John is one of the best players in the world. He has the respect of players and coaches in both hemispheres and is a natural born competitor and leader.

“We’ve been extremely proud to see him take the NRL by storm in 2019 and we’ve always looked forward to welcoming him back to Wigan when the opportunity presented itself.

"We had an agreement with him that, should he come back to the UK Super League, then we would have first option on him."

The former Bradford junior became a firm fans' favourite during 132 appearances for the Warriors between 2014 and his exit after the '18 Grand Final.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The uncompromising backrower has a fierce competitive streak, and his presence will help smooth the transition if, as expected, Sean O'Loughlin hangs up his boots.

Amid such financial uncertainty, his capture is also a boost for Super League following Warrington's capture of Greg Inglis and Catalans' ability to retain in-demand Israel Folau for 2021.

"As he’s entering the prime years of his playing career, I think it’s a real coup for the Betfred Super League to have a player of his calibre return to the competition," said Radlinski.

“In what are incredibly challenging times we need to be sensitive to the fact that the financial impact of the coronavirus will inevitably lead to a restructuring of the squad and the club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"John’s arrival next season has been part of that careful squad financial planning. We’re delighted that the continuing overwhelming assistance and messages of support from Wigan fans has made that process more tolerable than it might have been.

"The reality is that like many other industries we will be making difficult financial decisions for some time to come, as will all clubs.

“We’re in no doubt that this investment in John, as someone who knows exactly what it means to represent our jersey, will continue to drive the club forwards and bring our famously loyal supporters the excitement they’ve earned, as we all head into what will be a crucial period for the sport."

Wigan haven't stated whether Bateman will be one of their 'marquee players' next season, as they already have George Burgess and Jackson Hastings in those two allocated spots.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But with several departing, they have the salary cap space to accommodate all three. Morgan Escare has already gone, Ben Flower is off to Toronto, Joe Burgess is leaving, O'Loughlin and Thomas Leuluai may retire and Hastings himself could depart for the NRL.

The marquee status simply means £150,000 of the star's lucrative salary counts on the £2.1m cap limit.

Canberra paid a six-figure transfer fee to sign Bateman from Wigan at the end of 2018 and last season he was the Dally M backrower of the year.

The Raiders gave him and his management permission to test himself on the open market and earlier this week, released him from his final season after growing tired of his controversial agent, Isaac Moses, to indicate his intentions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bateman is currently sidelined but hopes to get back playing for the Green Machine within the next few weeks.

"I still have plenty of unfinished business with the Raiders and my focus now is to get myself back on the pitch as soon as possible and put myself in the frame for selection," added the 26-year-old.