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Luke Thompson will give Canterbury extra firepower in 2020
Luke Thompson was set to join the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2021 from St Helens; however, the transfer of the England international will now take place in 2020.
Thompson has opted against taking part in St Helens' wage reduction programme which was offered to their squad this year. The decision led to the Super League club allowing the player to depart Merseyside earlier than initially planned.
The forward has been with St Helens since the age of 11 and has racked up 157 appearances for the club since then. He had a spell out on loan at Rochdale Hornets in Championship 1 in 2015 but this will be the first permanent move in his career.
The 25-year-old will be hoping to have an immediate effect in Canterbury's team in the NRL where they are 250/1 inthe rugby league betting to win the Grand Final in 2020. The Bulldogs have not advanced to the Grand Final since they were beaten by the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014.
Thompson is very excited to feature for the Bulldogs. He told Canterbury's official website: "Getting the chance to join the Bulldogs and be a part of a club with so much history and with such passionate fans is very exciting.
"Having spoken to many people at the club and listened to their plans for the future, I know that they are building for success and I'm looking forward to being part of that."
Man of the Match In 2019 Super League Grand Final
2019 was an excellent year for Thompson as he helped St Helens to Grand Final success over Salford City Reds at Old Trafford. His side also reached the Challenge Cup final but were beaten by Warrington Wolves.
Thompson Joins A Growing List Of English Players In The NRL
Thompson is the latest high-profile English player to make the step across to the NRL. Many have been very successful in the league, despite significantly different conditions than they are used to.
James Graham made the exact same move as Thompson from St Helens to Canterbury in 2012 where the prop helped the Bulldogs to the Grand Final in 2014.
Former Wigan Warriors second-row forward John Bateman made his debut in the NRL in 2019 for the Canberra Raiders. He was named in the league's team of the year following that opening campaign.