After reports emerged that the North Queensland Cowboys had signed Super League young gun Riley Dean, the youngster has since confirmed the move.
"From joining the club at 14, fast forward all the years. Huge thanks to (Warrington) for everything and everyone involved from staff to best mates for life. Been a pleasure, but onto the next challenge and adventure," Dean announced on social media.
The 22-year-old competes as a halfback and has shown several signs of promise despite his short career to date.
His career so far includes a combined 43 games for six different clubs in the Englishย Super Leagueย and Championship since debuting in 2019 - five of the clubs were from loan spells.
Dean was also the maiden captain of the Under-16s Ireland team and competed for the Ireland national team in the World Cup qualifiers for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
"We will wait and see how he goes - we have heard good things about him," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said viaย WWOS.
This confirmation of the news comes after Dean reportedly earned several admirers from a variety of clubs in Australia, with the Cowboys winning the race for his signature.
However, Dean will play for the Mackay Cutters, the Cowboys feed tram in the QLD Cupย rather than join theย NRLย first-grade team. This will allow him to push for anย NRLย debut later this season.
His reported signature will follow the arrival of fellow countrymenย Kai Pearce-Paul,ย Alex Young,ย Morgan Smithiesย andย Will Pryceย as the next English player to play inย Australia next season.
