Premiership winner signs two-year deal with NRL side after stint with Wigan.
Former premiership-winning winger Pat Richards is leaving Wigan to return home and take up a two-year contract with the Wests Tigers in Australia’s National Rugby League, the club said on Friday.
Richards, 31, was a member of the inaugural 2005 Wests Tigers premiership-winning side and scored a then club season record of 20 tries before heading to Wigan later that year.
The big winger was a top performer for Wigan where he has been the top points scorer in the English Super League four times and is currently the competition’s leading points scorer this season.
“I can’t wait to reunite with the likes of Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall and Liam Fulton and to proudly pull on the Wests Tigers jersey again,” Richards said in a statement from the club.
Wests Tigers mentor Mick Potter coached Richards at Wigan and welcomed the winger’s addition to his 2014 season squad.
“Pat has been one of the best performing players in England for many seasons now. He was a winner of the 2010 Man of Steel award, which recognises the season’s best player,” Potter said.
“His size, strength and skill as well as his experience and goal-kicking ability will be great assets for our squad. We look forward to welcoming Pat back to Wests Tigers.”
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