Mika Simon to leave Catalans at end of season

James Gordon

Catalan Dragons' Captain Remi Casty (left) and Mickael Simon during the captain's run at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday August 24, 2018. See PA story RUGBYL Catalans. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.

Catalans prop Mika Simon will leave the club at the end of the 2020 season.

Simon, 33, has made 130 appearances for the Dragons in two spells since making his debut in 2010, and he played a further 33 games in a two-year spell for Wakefield.

He told the club’s official website: “I made the decision to end my professional career at the end of this season. During this long period, I have had time to think about it and I feel it is the right decision.

“I want to prepare my future as well as possible and be close to my two kids. I’ve had 11 fantastic Super League seasons, with ups and downs, but those moments allowed me to build myself.

“I have been delighted to play for this the club over all these years! I want to finish my career as well as possible and to see how far this team can go.”

Simon played for Limoux Grizzlies as a youngster, and he earned 17 international caps for France, playing at the 2013 World Cup.

Coach Steve McNamara added: “Mika has been an outstanding servant for the Catalans Dragons. He was hugely influential in our Challenge Cup Final success in 2018. We look forward to seeing a very strong finish to his Catalans career this year.”


More French rugby league

French ‘derby’ in Super League would be massive for the game, says Mark Kheirallah

The plan to re-establish rugby league in France’s third biggest city, Lyon

Big city teams key to French Elite Championship expansion and making the game stronger

An in-depth insight in to club rugby league in France