St Helens youngster Wesley Bruines to reunite with Sam Burgess at Warrington Wolves
Photo courtesy of Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves have confirmed the signing of outside-back Wesley Bruines from St Helens on a one-year deal for 2024, with the option of a further year in the club’s favour.
The 20-year-old has spent this season with Super League champions Saints, but has yet to play for the first team.
Bruines has enjoyed time on loan at Swinton Lions and North Wales Crusaders as well as playing in the reserves this season.
The Dewsbury-born centre will reunite with incoming Warrington head coach Sam Burgess next year, having worked with him in South Sydney Rabbitohs’ development squad a couple of years ago.
On his move to Warrington, Bruines said: “Warrington’s a big club and I’m excited for the opportunity.
“I know Sam (Burgess) from my time in Australia. He explained his vision of what he wants to do with the club and how he wants to develop me as a player.
“It’s a great stadium and a good atmosphere here at Warrington. It’s going to be a big pre-season for me and hopefully I can put my name out there to compete for a starting shirt.”
Sam Burgess hails ‘great addition’
Bruines, who stands at 6ft 3in, came through the academy at Wakefield before moving to Australia at the age of 18 to play in South Sydney’s development squad, working under Burgess at the NRL side.
On signing Bruines, Burgess said: “Wes will be a great addition to our squad for next season.
“He will bring a great work ethic, skill and youth to our playing group.
Warrington director of rugby Gary Chambers added: “Wes is someone Sam has worked with during his time at Souths.
“He’s a talented young player that we believe will develop with us. He can play centre as well as wing and full-back so will add that extra layer of competition as well as complementing what we’ve already got.”
Wesley Bruines departs St Helens with club’s best wishes
Saints coach Paul Wellens said: “Since coming through our doors, Wes has applied himself and worked very hard, he’s been a valued member of the group and we wish him well on his next chapter when that comes.
“Opportunities at the elite level are hard to come by at a club like St Helens but our junior pathway is strong.
“We have an incredibly exciting cohort of talent coming through to the first team in the very near future and we look forward to continuing our ethos of developing young, homegrown talent.”
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