Exclusive: Wakefield Trinity miss out on deadline day transfer with current club denying request
The Be Well Support Stadium, home of Wakefield Trinity
Thomas Doyle has missed out on a move to Super League after Keighley Cougars rejected a last-minute enquiry from Wakefield Trinity to sign the hooker, Love Rugby League understands.
Doyle had held talks with the Super League club and was keen on making the switch to Mark Applegarth’s side for the remainder of this season, with a shot at a longer deal on the table if the hooker impressed during his time with Trinity. However, the deal ultimately failed to go through.
Keighley received a transfer request from Doyle in the hours leading up to Friday’s transfer deadline, with the 24-year-old eager to test himself in Super League for the first time to such an extent that he was willing to leave his day job, effectively taking a pay cut, to have a crack at the top flight.
However, the deal will now not take place, Love Rugby League can reveal, after the Cougars held firm on a potential transfer. They didn’t want to release Doyle at a time when their Championship status remains firmly in the balance, having already let go of players such as Luke Gale, Dane Chisholm and Ben Crooks in recent months.
Wakefield Trinity target Thomas Doyle to remain at Keighley Cougars
Doyle will now remain at Cougar Park for the rest of 2023 at least, with the hooker still under contract for 2024, too.
Wakefield Trinity were keen admirers of Doyle and saw him as a player with huge potential who could offer something in the short-term in their bid to avoid relegation, as well as potentially long-term, too.
Doyle has been seen as one of the most promising players outside of Super League for a prolonged period now, as was touted for a move to Super League when he was with Bradford Bulls last season. However, Doyle instead opted to sign a two-year deal with Keighley at the end of last year.
And he may now have to wait a while longer to earn a Super League shot. Wakefield, meanwhile, are not expected to make any further additions to their squad ahead of the deadline, with Doyle the last piece of business they intended to do.
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