Leigh Leopards: Josh Charnley signs deal with Super League club.
Leigh Leopards have confirmed that England international Josh Charnley has signed an extension with the club. Charnley, who joined Leigh for the 2022 Championship season, will be with the club until the end of the 2025 season.
The former Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves player has been a key component of Leigh’s comeback under Adrian Lam. He was a member of the Championship-winning team that went on to win the Challenge Cup in 2023.
Charnley has scored 298 tries in 352 games since his debut in 2010. In addition to winning the Challenge Cup with Leigh, he won two Super League Grand Finals with Wigan.
He is also expected to become the Super League’s all-time leading try scorer. Charnley is currently ranked third on the list, behind Danny McGuire (247) and Ryan Hall (246). The Leigh winger currently has 236.
However, with McGuire already retired and Hall set to retire at the end of next season, Charnley will have at least one more season to close the 10-try gap to first place.
Charnley commits his future to the Leigh Leopards
Leigh have suffered from a number of high profile departures in recent weeks. John Asiata and Oliver Holmes will join Hull FC in 2025. Zak Hardaker will also reportedly make the same move. Retaining Charnley is a major boost for Leigh fans.
In a statement confirming Charnley’s contract extension, Charnley declared his love for the club. He stated that they helped him rediscover his love for Rugby League at a low ebb in his career,
“I’ve loved being at Leigh. They’ve really helped me fall in love with my Rugby again.
“It’s been no secret that retirement was something I seriously considered before I originally signed at Leigh. So to be signing an extension here just shows what a massive impact the club has had on me.
“We’ve had a tough start this season but I’m very sure there’s big things to come from this team and I’m really excited to be a part of that.”
Chester delighted to see Charnley stay at Leigh
Leigh Director of Rugby, Chris Chester, was full of praise for Charnley upon confirmation of this new contract. Chester spoke of the role that Charnley has played since joining Leigh in the Championship. He believes it is only a matter of time before he becomes Super League’s all time leading try scorer.
“Josh has been a key part in this club’s recent history. He’s taken us from the Championship to the Challenge Cup and been scoring plenty of tries along the way.
“Last year he broke the club record for tries in a Super League season and now he’s got the record of most Super League tries in his sights. We want to see him do that in a Leigh Leopards shirt.”
Recently, Leigh owner Derek Beaumont reaffirmed his commitment to spending the salary cap and stated that an offer had already been made to a potential replacement for John Asiata.
Leave a Reply