Oldham and Wigan agree Hirst deal

Oldham have agreed a deal with Super League giants Wigan that will see Roughyeds forward George Hirst join the Warriors on a two-year deal but play on for Oldham on loan in 2025. 

The exciting 23-year-old will spend the full pre-season with the World Club champions, but is then expected to be available for Oldham's Betfred Championship campaign. 

As part of the discussions, Oldham and Wigan have also agreed a mouth-watering friendly which will see the Roughyeds host the Super League champions at Boundary Park in the New Year. 

Speaking exclusively to Roughyeds TV, Hirst says his heart is with Oldham but Wigan is an unexpected opportunity that he just cannot turn down. 

"Leaving Oldham is not something I had planned on doing and I would have been more than happy to stay," said Hirst.

"This year has been the most I have enjoyed my rugby in years and Oldham is a brilliant place to be at the moment.

"But with a club like Wigan something like this doesn't roll around too often, it is a once in a blue moon opportunity that if I turned down I would be beating myself up about.

"This is probably a sign of how well Oldham are doing that Wigan are coming in and wanting to sign me."

Oldham managing director Mike Ford says that while disappointing for the team, the move underlines the incredible strides forward being made by the club as a whole.

Ford said: "We are excited that after a full Super League pre-season we will be getting the best version yet of George Hirst next year.

"The deal is that he will train with them in pre-season but will likely be loaned back to us to play for Oldham in the 2025 Betfred Championship season.

"We are obviously disappointed to lose one of our brightest talents but at the same time delighted with this recognition of both George's potential and the work that we have done at Oldham in such a short time to develop the stars of the future.

"While our goal at Oldham is to develop a club and pathway system that will in future keep hold of our brightest young talent, the reality is that we are not quite there yet and we value George too highly to stand in the way of him fulfilling his dreams.

"Of course we want George to stay but it is testament to our progress as a club that the rugby league world is now taking notice of Oldham again.

"That is a huge credit to what everyone at the club have achieved in such a short space of time. 

"We are very happy to have the option to keep George on loan as we step up to the Championship next year, safe in the knowledge that we will be well recompensed by Wigan if he is needed by the Warriors next year.

"We look forward to working closely with Wigan as George continues to progress as a player."

The terms of the deal will see Oldham benefit financially for any appearances Hirst makes for Wigan, and the player is keen to add his own personal thanks to the passionate Roughyeds fans who have played a massive part in his development as a player.

"I love the fans and even have my own chant at Boundary Park now," added Hirst.

"Rugby doesn't work without the fans and our fans are awesome, they make everything a lot easier for us on the pitch knowing we have that kind of support. 

"I've never played in the Championship and even that will be a big step up so having a full pre-season in Super League will do me good, and hopefully I will come back to Oldham ten times the player which is really exciting."

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