Joe Burgess swaps Hull KR for Catalans Dragons on two-year deal
Catalans Dragons have signed Joe Burgess from Hull KR on a two-year deal from 2027. The move was reported on 22 September, with the England winger to leave East Hull at the end of this season, according to BBC Sport.
Burgess is 32. He has scored 65 tries in 74 appearances for Hull KR.
He was part of the Rovers side that won the treble last season. That clean sweep remains the benchmark for this group.
He still had a year left on his Hull KR contract when the Catalans deal emerged. Rovers confirmed earlier in September that he would depart at the end of the year.
Catalans head coach John Cartwright welcomed the signing in strong terms. He called Burgess a proven match-winner in Super League, the top-flight competition for clubs in England and France, and a genuine try-scorer and try-saver.
The back story is one of late momentum. Burgess joined Hull KR from Salford in January 2024 and then produced a career-best season in 2025, Hull KR said earlier this year. That 2025 campaign brought the historic Treble of Betfred Super League, Betfred Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield.
Born in Wigan on 14 October 1994, Burgess came through junior club Ince Rose Bridge. He made his Super League debut for Wigan Warriors against Hull KR in August 2013 and has since played for Salford as well as Australia's Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. He featured for England in last year's Ashes Series.
Hull KR had tied him down in January with what was announced as a deal to the end of 2027. That plan has now changed. Rovers said he will leave at the end of the 2026 season to take up an opportunity with another Super League club, which the September reporting identifies as Catalans.
What makes this stand out is sheer output from the wing. Wingers live on the edges, where space is tight and the finish has to be clean. Burgess has kept scoring through different teams, systems and seasons.
For fans, this means a straight swap of experience. Catalans get a finisher who knows the league. Hull KR must now replace one of their most reliable finishers.
