Seven Wigan Warriors players heading off contract including two Super League legends

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors head into the 2025 season as quadruple winners with the club’s incredible squad management key to that success with most of the team’s stars on long-term contracts. Despite that, seven will see their deals expire at the end of the 2025 season.

As referenced, Wigan have not been afraid to commit to some of their stars with lengthy contracts going to both coaches and players alike. Earlier this year, Junior Nsemba would sign a six-year deal tying him to the club until the end of the 2030 season.

Man of Steel Bevan French is locked in until at least the end of 2028 whilst head coach Matt Peet and assistants Sean O’Loughlin and Thomas Leuluai are also locked in until the end of 2030.

With so many players locked in long-term, there are still some who have less than a year on their contract with six believed to fall into that category and another with an option year. We’ve assessed each of those seven players.

The Wigan Warriors players with 2025 expiring contracts

Of the seven names on the list, Sam Eseh Jr is the only one confirmed to have an option in his contract meaning that Wigan Warriors could extend him beyond 2025 should they wish.

Eseh Jr spent time on loan at each of Castleford Tigers, Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos in 2024 and is yet to feature for Wigan Warriors, such is the depth of their riches in the pack.

Another of the names whose status is not certain is Tom Forber but per Wigan Today, the youngster is ‘at least’ contracted until the end of the 2025 season. Jacob Douglas is another young player who is tied down for 2025 with the club having triggered an option in his recent contract.

The other four players on this list are far more prominent figures with two Super League legends featuring in Liam Farrell and Willie Isa. The pair of Wigan legends will turn 35 and 36 respectively in 2024 and have almost 600 Warriors appearances between them.

Isa missed almost all of the 2024 season after a horror injury in the Challenge Cup back in April and recently signed a deal for 2025 whilst Farrell almost missed the Grand Final after being a late call following a virus. Both men are synonymous with the club and any contract news will be eagerly awaited by the Ancient and Loyal fans.

Liam Byrne and Adam Keighran are the other two men who see their deal expire at the end of 2025 with 2024 signing Keighran proving to be one of the best in Super League.

His kicking game from the tee was crucial in 2024 and took a pressuring job off Harry Smith which elicited the best of the England half. As for Liam Byrne, he is another fighting for time on the field given how packed Wigan’s pack is. If he becomes a free agent then he will be very desirable for many Super League clubs.

Wigan Warriors players off contract at the end of the 2025 season

Adam Keighran
Liam Byrne
Willie Isa
Liam Farrell
Sam Eseh Jr (Option)
Tom Forber
Jacob Douglas

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/seven-wi ... nds-98817/

[medlocke]

Keep Tom Forber & Jacob Douglas and let the rest go

[Wiganer Ted]

Isa to leave the rest will stay!

[josie andrews]

I’m sure Isa has signed for another year

Yes he has signed a one year extension which should take him to a Testimonial Year

[Barney841]

Wigan Warriors head into the 2025 season as quadruple winners with the club’s incredible squad management key to that success with most of the team’s stars on long-term contracts. Despite that, seven will see their deals expire at the end of the 2025 season.

As referenced, Wigan have not been afraid to commit to some of their stars with lengthy contracts going to both coaches and players alike. Earlier this year, Junior Nsemba would sign a six-year deal tying him to the club until the end of the 2030 season.

Man of Steel Bevan French is locked in until at least the end of 2028 whilst head coach Matt Peet and assistants Sean O’Loughlin and Thomas Leuluai are also locked in until the end of 2030.

With so many players locked in long-term, there are still some who have less than a year on their contract with six believed to fall into that category and another with an option year. We’ve assessed each of those seven players.

The Wigan Warriors players with 2025 expiring contracts

Of the seven names on the list, Sam Eseh Jr is the only one confirmed to have an option in his contract meaning that Wigan Warriors could extend him beyond 2025 should they wish.

Eseh Jr spent time on loan at each of Castleford Tigers, Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos in 2024 and is yet to feature for Wigan Warriors, such is the depth of their riches in the pack.

Another of the names whose status is not certain is Tom Forber but per Wigan Today, the youngster is ‘at least’ contracted until the end of the 2025 season. Jacob Douglas is another young player who is tied down for 2025 with the club having triggered an option in his recent contract.

The other four players on this list are far more prominent figures with two Super League legends featuring in Liam Farrell and Willie Isa. The pair of Wigan legends will turn 35 and 36 respectively in 2024 and have almost 600 Warriors appearances between them.

Isa missed almost all of the 2024 season after a horror injury in the Challenge Cup back in April and recently signed a deal for 2025 whilst Farrell almost missed the Grand Final after being a late call following a virus. Both men are synonymous with the club and any contract news will be eagerly awaited by the Ancient and Loyal fans.

Liam Byrne and Adam Keighran are the other two men who see their deal expire at the end of 2025 with 2024 signing Keighran proving to be one of the best in Super League.

His kicking game from the tee was crucial in 2024 and took a pressuring job off Harry Smith which elicited the best of the England half. As for Liam Byrne, he is another fighting for time on the field given how packed Wigan’s pack is. If he becomes a free agent then he will be very desirable for many Super League clubs.

Wigan Warriors players off contract at the end of the 2025 season

Adam Keighran
Liam Byrne
Willie Isa
Liam Farrell
Sam Eseh Jr (Option)
Tom Forber
Jacob Douglas

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/seven-wi ... nds-98817/

I can see Faz maybe going into a coaching role or maybe getting one more season if he goes alright in 2025, he’s got good experience.
I’d keep the younger lads to see how they mature. And I’d be happy for Isa and Byrne to leave, Keighrsn maybe as well because beside his kicking I don’t think you really notice him really.

[josie andrews]

I’m sure Isa has signed for another year

Yes he has signed a one year extension which should take him to a Testimonial Year

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/10/ ... tension-2/

[the pieman]

I’m sure Isa has signed for another year

Yes he has signed a one year extension which should take him to a Testimonial Year

yes, he was off contract at the end of this season and signed for 1 year.

in an ideal world Faz may have another year in him after next season (but we need Walters to really step up and take his place), so our 2nd row is Walters and Junior, with Faz (2025 and poss 2026) and Isa (2025)providing support. if not we will either be looking at our juniors coming through or a potential signing once Isa has retired

[WIGIAN]

Personally I think Keighran is massively underrated, he's grown into the team and had a top year and put in some amazing hits , I guess however Eckersley needs to move in at some point. If he does move on 2025/26 we will need a goal kicker as from Saturdays evidence Harry isn't getting any better

[thegimble]

Personally I think Keighran is massively underrated, he's grown into the team and had a top year and put in some amazing hits , I guess however Eckersley needs to move in at some point. If he does move on 2025/26 we will need a goal kicker as from Saturdays evidence Harry isn't getting any better

Agree re Keighran tbh if King is available then Eckersley needs to be a top level centre if we go back in for him. That if Keighran leaves to go back to the NRL.

[southportcdm]

Adam improved throughout the season and his goal kicking was a real bonus. Don't forget he filled in well at standoff too. I think we'll offer him another contract unless Eckersley makes even more progress than he did this season. Eckersley will provide cover at centre, fullback and wing next season but won't replace Adam at centre if Adam maintains his end of season form. The squad looks good for 2025 but will need some careful juggling to maintain progress into 2026. Things to consider:

1) Forber did so well at the end of the season but will he be happy being third choice when Brad is back?

2) How much and how well will Isa have to play if he wants to play on into his testimonial season at Wigan?

3) For how long will Faz want to play if he slips down to third choice?

4) For how long will Eckersley be happy to play second fiddle?

5) How long can we keep Farrimond happy as a back up?

Things will be much clearer in the second half of next season and the club seem to be making the correct decisions more often than not.