Tigers agree Solomona settlement

Castleford have accepted a settlement “in excess of £200,000” and ended their legal action against former winger Denny Solomona, his new club Sale Sharks and agent Andrew Clarke.

The 23-year-old ‘retired’ from rugby league to join rugby union club Sale on a three-year deal in December 2016.

The Tigers were seeking £500,000 for Solomona’s transfer, as he was contracted to them until 2018, but they have now agreed a joint offer made by the defendants.

Castleford CEO Steve Gill said: “This has been a difficult few months for the club. It would have been very easy to walk away and put all of this down to experience but Castleford Tigers is not a selling club anymore.

“We have demonstrated over the last three years that the club is ambitious. We want to maintain our existing squad and continue to improve.

“The approach from Sale was not welcome. We made our position clear but we have no control over the fact that Solomona was going to walk out on his contract.

“We believe lessons have now been learnt and we hope if this was to happen again rugby union clubs would respect the fact that the league players who are under contract cannot be enticed away without fear of financial penalties.

“Sale, Solomona and Mr Clarke have had ample opportunities over the last few months to apologise for their actions. Neither has done so which we find disappointing as well as disrespectful for the shabby way this transfer was conducted.

“However, we have to move on and the compensation payment is now likely to be used for team strengthening to help us achieve our ambitions.

“We wish to thank our legal team of Richard Cramer and Martin Williams of FrontRow Legal, and Nick Randall QC for their guidance and assistance in achieving this successful outcome.

“Now that the matter has come to an end we can focus our energies on continue to develop the club both on and off the field.”