Warrington Wolves see off Leeds Rhinos and two other Super League rivals to sign classy NRL forward
Lachlan Fitzgibbon has joined Warrington on a three-year contract - Alamy
Warrington Wolves clinically saw off three Super League rivals, including the Leeds Rhinos, to secure the signature of Lachlan Fitzgibbon from Newcastle Knights, it has now been confirmed.
The 29-year-old back-rower will depart the New South Wales outfit and move to the Halliwell Jones Stadium ahead of the 2024 season. Fitzgibbon has committed to signing a three-year deal with the Wolves, having confirmed his intentions to see out the season with the Knights.
The capture of 6ft 4in star, who has only ever played for the Knights, is seen as a real coup for Daryl Powell’s side.
And discussing his incoming arrival, Sky Sports commentator Jon Wells said during Friday’s 20-24 defeat to St Helens, that “at least five Super League clubs” were chasing Fitzgibbon’s signature.
And while the identity of these clubs remains something of a mystery, League Express has since revealed three of these sides.
Per their report, Warrington saw off competition from the Rhinos as well as Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants to snap up the forward.
Leeds could certainly have done with Fitzgibbon with James Bentley and James Donaldson both out of contract.
The Giants, meanwhile, are seeking a replacement for Chris McQueen. And Hull FC are potentially losing a back-in-form star with speculation surrounding the future of Andre Savelio.
However, it is Warrington who have won the transfer chase, with the club ready to welcome the player ahead of the 2024 season.
Fitzgibbon explains decision to join Warrington
Discussing his move to the Halliwell Jones, Fitzgibbon admits he will miss life at Newcastle but is excited to take on a new challenge.
“It’s obviously super exciting for me and my partner but it’s going to be a massive change,” he said earlier this week.
“I definitely will miss Newcastle, the town, the fans, the supporters and members of the community.
“But overseas, I’ve heard they have some pretty cool crowds and they get the chants going so I’m looking forward to that also which is nice.
“It’s obviously a decision I didn’t take lightly. I feel like I’m playing some really good footy at the moment and the body is feeling really good and I’ve got plenty of good years ahead of me.
“It’s always something I wanted to do and in rugby league it is a lot around timing and it just felt like for me and my partner that it was the right time.”
Fitzgibbon currently has 31 tries in 112 appearances since making his NRL debut for the Knights back in 2015.
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