Partington and Leeming part of Dragons and Warriors swap deal

Wigan Warriors have announced that Oliver Partington will re-join the Club on a five-year deal, with Kruise Leeming joining Catalans Dragons on a one-year loan agreement as part of the deal.

The deal will see Partington return to his hometown team until the end of 2030.

Having developed through the Wigan system earlier in his career, Oliver made his debut for the Warriors against Castleford Tigers in 2018 – playing a further 90 times before moving to Salford in 2023, then switching to Catalans midway through the 2024 season.

The 27-year-old now returns to The Brick Community Stadium as a more complete and established Super League forward having 170 appearances to his name. 

On rejoining his hometown team, Partington said: “I am absolutely buzzing to be coming back to Wigan. I’m really looking forward to earning the respect of the group and the fans. To play for Wigan Warriors was always my childhood dream and I’ve lived that dream once – I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to live that dream again.

“I would like to thank everyone at Catalans for the last year, I enjoyed my time there and I will miss the people and the place.”

Warriors Head Coach, Matt Peet said: “We are all excited to welcome Oliver back to the Club. We always hoped we would get the chance to get him back one day and the timing feels perfect. He is a player who always wore the Wigan shirt with pride, and he has been away and developed himself on and off the field as he enters the prime of his career.”

Peet added: “Equally, Kruise will be an asset to Catalans. He is a fantastic professional, who is a pleasure to work with.”

Leeming will make the move to the South of France to join Catalans Dragons on a one-year loan arrangement. Since joining the Warriors at the start of the 2024 season, the 30-year-old has made 57 appearances, scoring 12 tries. Leeming was a key part of the team that won all four trophies – World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and Super League Grand Final – in 2024.

Dragons Head Coach, Joel Tomkins said: “I would like to wish Ollie well on the next chapter of his career and thank him for his outstanding service to the Dragons in 2025. Although we are disappointed to lose Ollie, we are presented with an opportunity to reshape our squad with the addition of Kruise. He will add a different dimension to our team, especially in attack. Alrix Da Costa and Kruise will complement each other and provide us with a constant threat around the ruck.”

Kruise Leeming commented: “It’s a huge honour to join the Dragons. I can’t wait to get to Perpignan and get started. I know how deep the club’s history is and how much everyone at Catalans wants success. I believe we have the coaching staff and playing squad to achieve something really special. I’ll be doing everything I can to play my part, and I’m very excited that I will soon get to pull on the shirt at Stade Gilbert Brutus and get stuck in!"