There was a new face at Robin Park Arena on Wednesday morning as Wigan Warriors welcomed new signing Christian Wade to the club.
After playing his final rugby union game on Saturday for Gloucester, who just missed qualifying for the Premiership Rugby play-offs, the 34-year-old winger was eligible to transfer codes and join his new team, Wigan.
Gloucester defeated Northampton Saints 41-26 on Saturday thanks to two goals from Wade. However, Bath Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks, and Bristol Bears ended in the top four, leaving the Cherry and Whites two points outside of the play-off spots.
The half-hour mark saw the Slough-born winger score his maiden goal, putting Gloucester ahead after he showed a clean pair of heels by intercepting a ball and racing 50 meters. Wade darted over for his final try in rugby union before switching codes to rugby league, demonstrating his speed once more in the game’s last minute with another 50-meter effort.
In front of the Warriors supporters before their victory over rivals St Helens on Good Friday at a sold-out Brick Community Stadium, Super League champions Wigan announced Wade as their new addition.
Wade officially joined his new teammates at Robin Park Arena on Wednesday morning after signing a contract with the Warriors that would last until the end of the 2025 campaign.
Having played Premiership rugby for the majority of his career, the former British and Irish Lions representative will bring a wealth of experience to Wigan’s outside-backs. He will also give Matt Peet’s options on the edges more depth, as he even spent three years pursuing an NFL career between 2019 and 2022.
Zach Eckersley has made an impression on the wing with stalwart Liam Marshall in recent weeks, while Wigan winger Abbas Miski is presently out for a few months following knee surgery earlier this month.
Wade stated, “I’m excited to join Wigan Warriors, a club with a tremendous legacy,” when he made his signing public in April.
It is an honor for me to be added to the pantheon of great players who have represented this club. I am eager to begin this new phase of my career and am looking forward to it.
“We are excited to welcome Christian and his partner Lisa to Wigan,” stated Warriors manager Matt Peet. We anticipate that Christian will contribute his unique personality to the squad with his athleticism, skill, and experience in addition to working hard to master a new sport. I have no doubt that Wigan supporters will be thrilled and welcome him with open arms.
The Warriors’ next game is against the Huddersfield Giants at Dewsbury on June 14.
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