Confirmed: ‘Popular’ Wigan loanee Toby King to return to Warrington in 2024
Sky Sports pundit Jon Wells has confirmed that Toby King will return to parent club Warrington Wolves for the 2024 Super League campaign.
King, 26, is currently enjoying a season-long loan down the road at Wigan Warriors, currently on 18 appearances under Matt Peet and named in the centres to face Wakefield during Super League Round 18.
Originally reported by Thirteen Rugby and Examiner Live, Wells confirmed ahead of Warrington versus St Helens that the England international will return to the Halliwell Jones Stadium next year.
The centre was described as a ‘popular’ member of the Wigan group by head coach Matt Peet, who previously shared his desire of retaining the Huddersfield-born player.
King is contracted with the Wolves until the end of 2025, with new rules to the salary cap that will come into play next year to possibly have had an impact in the decision.
The current two marquee player limit will increase to three next season, as long as at least one of those players is federation trained.
The salary cap is to remain at £2.1 for a fifth straight season, while club-trained marquee players will only count as £50,000 as part of the new rules.
It means King’s contract will only count as a small percentage to Warrington’s salary cap for 2024.
Wigan boss on ‘popular’ Toby King
King’s future has been speculated since May, with Wigan boss Peet questioned about the future of the ‘popular’ loanee.
“Obviously Toby King is here on loan. I’ve mentioned previously that it would be nice to keep him, but ultimately he is Warrington’s player,” Peet previously said.
“It’ll be Warrington’s decision to make.
“He settled in really well and is a popular member of the group.”
The Warriors have been linked with a move for Catalans Dragons utility star Adam Keighran for 2024, who remains off-contract in Perpignan beyond the current season.
Peet has confirmed his interest in the 26-year-old former NRL man.
He commented: “Whether we sign him or not, but I won’t shy away from the fact that we admire him as a player and he’s out of contract so I can see why the link has been made.
“Good player, I’ve been really impressed with him this season but ultimately he is a Catalans player at the moment and there’s nothing further been done than that.
“He’s a good player, a lot to like about him.”
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