Luke Thompson to leave St Helens for the NRL at end of the season

St Helens forward Luke Thompson will move to Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL at the end of the season.

Thompson, 24, was man of the match in Saints’ Grand Final success in October and played for Great Britain on their tour Down Under.

His deal was up at the end of this year, and he will become the latest English player to move to the NRL.

Chairman Eamonn McManus said: “We accept and totally respect Luke’s decision and wish him nothing but success in his career and in his life. We are absolutely sure that he will be absolutely committed to the Club and to his teammates for the rest of this season.

“There’s no hiding from the fact that this is a bitter disappointment to all of us as Luke has been connected to the Club since the age of 11 and has developed into an absolute top player at 24 years old.

“If ever he decides to return to England and to Super League then there would be a red carpet waiting for him at St.Helens.”