Sam Eseh determined to finish Wigan Warriors spell on a high with gratitude aired

Sam Eseh says he is determined to finish his Wigan Warriors career on a high and help the club achieve ‘something special’ before his departure at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old prop will leave the Warriors when his contract expires at the season’s end, having agreed a three-year deal with Bradford Bulls from 2027.

Eseh joined Wigan from Wakefield Trinity ahead of the 2024 campaign, spending time on loan with Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Hull FC during his first two years with the Warriors before breaking into Matt Peet’s side this year.

Now that his future has been confirmed, the front-rower admits he is relieved to have the situation resolved and can focus fully on the remainder of his time in cherry and white.

“We just kept it honest throughout the whole process between me and the club,” Eseh told Wigan Today. “I’m just happy to get it (the news) out of the way and just concentrate on playing for Wigan now.

“I’ve been here for three years now, obviously this is my first year playing, but I’ve spent a lot of time with these boys, and I want to be a part of something special here.”

Eseh believes his time at Wigan has transformed him as a player, having completed three pre-seasons with Peet’s outfit before earning heritage number 1,140 earlier this year.

“Definitely,” Eseh replied when asked if he would depart as a better player.

“I think being in the Wigan system has benefitted me a lot. It is something I am very grateful for and something that I’ll probably keep with me throughout my whole career.”

The Leeds-born front-rower was part of the side that produced another impressive display on Friday night, helping Wigan claim a convincing 48-10 victory over his former club Wakefield at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.

“First of all, Wakey are a great side, and it’s a tough environment to come into as well,” Eseh continued. “They have been going really well, but I think we stuck to our processes and got the job done.”

Having come through the youth ranks and into the first-team at Wakefield, Eseh admits he always enjoys returning to West Yorkshire - even if the home supporters occasionally remind him of his roots!

“I get a bit of stick!” Eseh joked. “But they are a passionate fanbase, and they had a couple of years when they were struggling as a club, but they deserve to be where they are now and are enjoying it. You can hear that they are enjoying it, but I do like coming back here - it’s a part of the game.”

Friday’s win was made even more special by the presence of several family members and friends in the crowd.

“My mum, her colleague, and her daughter and son came along,” Eseh added. “Her daughter has just got into rugby, and it was her first game to come and watch, so she enjoyed it.

“I had a mate who I used to play amateur with come, my godson’s father was here, and my cousin’s husband’s brother was here as well, so I had plenty of people here supporting me. I think that’s the good part about it, getting to see my family after the game and enjoy the win with them.”