How Doncaster are shaping up for 2024, including nine high-profile signings for Championship campaign
Joe Lovodua, Pauli Pauli, Craig Hall and Reece Lyne have signed for Doncaster ahead of 2024 - Alamy
Newly-promoted Championship club Doncaster have made nine high-profile signings to prepare for life in the second tier in 2024.
It would be fair to say the Dons have enjoyed an impressive recruitment drive ahead of next season, with Richard Horne’s side making nine new signings.
Joe Lovodua, Suaia Matagi, Reece Lyne, Tyla Hepi, Pauli Pauli, Luke Briscoe, Alex Sutcliffe and Craig Hall will make the Eco-Power Stadium their home for 2024, with the club also signing Josh Guzdek on a permanent deal from Sheffield Eagles following his loan spell last season.
Meanwhile, eight players have left Doncaster following their promotion-clinching League 1 campaign in 2023, including former Wales international Matt James, who has retired.
Travis Corion, Aaron Ollett-Hobson, Dave Petersen, Dean Roberts, Jack Sanderson, Ross Whitmore and Brandan Wilkinson have all moved onto pastures new.
Former Tonga international Mahe Fonua helped the Dons gain promotion – but has returned to Australia to take up a two-year deal with Queensland Cup side Mackay Cutters.
Castleford Tigers prop Albert Vete spent the latter half of the 2023 campaign on loan with Doncaster and has returned to his parent club, whilst Luke Cooper – also a loanee last season – has joined Batley Bulldogs from Featherstone Rovers.
There is a real international flavour at the Dons heading into the upcoming season, with Lovodua (Fiji), Matagi (New Zealand & Samoa), Misi Taulapapa (Samoa), Reece Lyne, Brett Ferres (both England), Jason Tali, Watson Boas (Papua New Guinea) and Ben Johnston (Ireland) all having played on the international stage.
Ins and outs
Ins: Tyla Hepi, Joe Lovodua, Josh Guzdek (loan made permanent), Pauli Pauli, Luke Briscoe, Suaia Matagi, Reece Lyne, Alex Sutcliffe, Craig Hall
Outs: Travis Corion, Aaron Ollett-Hobson, Dave Petersen, Dean Roberts, Jack Sanderson, Ross Whitmore, Brandan Wilkinson, Matt James (retired)
How Doncaster are shaping up for 2024
Watson Boas
Luke Briscoe
Greg Burns
Brett Ferres
Keelan Foster
Josh Guzdek
Craig Hall
Elliot Hall
Tom Halliday
Tyla Hepi
Brad Hey
Alex Holdstock
Ben Johnston
Jose Kenga
Brad Knowles
Joe Lovodua
Reece Lyne
Suaia Matagi
Loui McConnell
Pauli Pauli
Connor Robinson
Sam Smeaton
Alex Sutcliffe
Jason Tali
Misi Taulapapa
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