Wakefield Trinity secures capture of Wigan Warriors centre as squad rebuild starts
Wakefield will play in the Championship next season.
Wakefield Trinity have confirmed Iain Thornley as their first new signing ahead of the 2024 campaign. The centre will join the club from Wigan Warriors in what is set to be the first in a string of signings announced by the club following the recent takeover of new owner Matt Ellis.
Thornley, 32, has spent the last two seasons with his hometown club, making 13 appearances in the process. Coming in at almost two metres tall, he will add considerable size to their edge next year. He brings experience too having made 122 Super League appearances and almost 200 throughout his career.
The new head coach, Daryl Powell, said: “I am delighted that Iain Thornley has agreed to join us next season. He is a big, powerful centre who has been outstanding for Wigan whenever he has played over the last few seasons. He will add leadership and experience to what is going to be an exciting backline.”
Wakefield are set to boast a strong squad in the Championship next year. They are also thought to have signed Huddersfield Giants legend Jermaine McGillvary and Keighley Cougars hooker Thomas Doyle, while Halifax Panthers winger Lachlan Walmsley is also a player of interest to the club.
A strong on-field season will be important to Wakefield as they look for a return to the Super League. They placed 11th in IMG’s illustrative gradings published on Wednesday, though those scores will be re-evaluated next year, at which point the league table will determine who plays in the Super League.
