Canberra Raiders Captain Elliott Whitehead Set to Return to Super League with Catalans Dragons in 2025
Canberra, Australia
Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead has announced that he will be returning to Super League in 2025, signing a contract with his former club, the Catalans Dragons. The 34-year-old, who has made 198 appearances for the Raiders since joining the club in 2016, will play out the remainder of this season with the Raiders before making the move back to Super League.
Whitehead, who has won 31 international caps for Great Britain and England, spent three seasons with the Catalans Dragons between 2013 and 2015 after playing more than 100 games for his boyhood club, the Bradford Bulls. The Bradfordian is excited to rejoin the Dragons, stating:
“Having seen how Catalans have grown since I left, I can’t wait to come back and hopefully help bring some more success to the south of France.”
Catalans coach Steve McNamara expressed his delight at Whitehead’s impending arrival, saying:
“Elliott is a great signing for the Dragons. His quality, experience, and leadership will be a huge asset for us. His rugby league instincts and intuition are something you cannot coach. We look forward to his arrival in 2025.”
Whitehead has been a mainstay in Canberra’s forward pack since his arrival in 2016, helping the Raiders reach preliminary finals in 2016 and 2020 and a Grand Final in 2019. The club’s captain is grateful for the opportunity the Raiders have provided him, stating:
“First of all, I want to thank Ricky and the club for the opportunity to come to the NRL back in 2016 and chase my dream. I’ve been able to have a wonderful career with the Raiders, and to finish my time with the club as captain is something I’m very proud of.”
Whitehead’s departure will be a significant loss for the Raiders, but the club is optimistic about its future. He said:
“The players, staff and club made me feel welcome since the moment I arrived, and the with my family on the other side of the world, the club has become my second family. I truly believe this club and playing group have a bright future ahead of them over the next few years, and I look forward to watching them continue to grow and challenge for premierships.”
While rugby league enthusiasts will miss Whitehead’s presence in the NRL, the prospect of his return to the Super League with the Catalans Dragons in 2025 is sure to generate excitement among the sport’s global fanbase.
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