Tom Johnstone turned down marking contract at Catalans Dragons with exit sealed

Tom Johnstone’s return to Wakefield Trinity moved a step closer with Catalans Dragons confirming his departure from the club. The French outfit have confirmed that the England international will not sign a new contract with the club beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the season.

Johnstone has been heavily linked with a return to Wakefield Trinity, where he spent his entire career before moving to Perpignan. Now, after two seasons in which he first made the Super League Dream Team and was nominated for the Man of Steel award, it is his turn to make a comeback.

The Dragons have revealed that Johnstone has turned down a marquee deal to stay at the club, with the lure of a return to England too good to refuse.

In a statement, they said: “The England international has turned down a contract extension with Marquee Player status at the Dragons with a significant pay rise. Despite being given both contractual and rugby temptations to stay, the desire to take his young family back. in England and to have that important support from relatives, it was something the club could not fight against and they fully respect him.”

Explaining his decision to leave, Johnstone added: “Firstly I’d like to thank Steve for taking the risk to sign me and giving me this opportunity after a tough few years with injuries and for having confidence in myself. Also thanks to Matt. Parr for working so closely with me keeping me fit and healthy over the past few seasons.

“Without them both, I don’t think I would have played as many games as I have and personally achieved what I did. I would also like to thank Bernard Guasch, the staff at Brutus and the fans for they welcomed me to this amazing club, the atmosphere in Brutus is incredible and I will always remember the 2023 semi-final.

“My family and I loved our time in this beautiful place, adapting to the proud Catalan and French culture. But we feel the time is right to return home to be closer to our family and friends.

“I’m extremely proud of last year, although we didn’t achieve what we set out to win the Grand Final, but I promise to do everything I can to finish my time at this club on a high and win competition like as the club and the fans deserve”.

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