Wakefield Wildcats confirm permanent Richie Mathers signing from Castleford Tigers

The full-back has penned a two-year deal at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium after impressing in the red, white and blue on a season-long loan this year.

Wakefield have been working hard to get the deal done for a player who still had a year to run on his Castleford contract but, as reported in last week’s Express, all three parties have come to an agreement.

Mathers had made no secret of his desire to make his loan move permanent and he says the feeling of finalising his move is one of “a big relief”.

“I have been thankful throughout to Wakefield and it was never in question that I wanted to stay because I enjoyed it so much last year,” he said.

“To get a two-year deal and represent the club while hopefully playing a big part is something that I really am delighted about.

“I think next year we will have that continuity because there will not be too much chopping and changing. We started last pre-season with 17 new players and by the time we finished the season we had 20 new players throughout the season and that is just unbelievable.

“I’m looking forward to pre-season training and it’s an integral part to prepare for the season. A lot of us missed chunks of last pre-season for one reason or another so to get everybody on board on our first day back will go a long way as well.”

The 28-year-old missed just one game for Wakefield last season and was made vice-captain midway through the campaign, playing a key role in helping Wildcats to the Super League play-offs.

“Richard had a good year and was integral to what we achieved in 2012,” said Wakefield head coach Richard Agar.

“He’s a player who has a good standing within the group, is a consummate professional and is a terrific influence on our younger members of the squad.”

Mathers becomes the third player to make a loan stay at Wakefield permanent in 2012 following deals for Lee Smith and Paul Sykes.

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