George Williams: England star ends talk of imminent NRL return by signing Warrington Wolves contract extension
George Williams is staying with Warrington Wolves until 2026 after extending his contract for a further two years; former Australia international prop Paul Vaughan extends until 2025 as well; watch the Wolves take on Wigan Warriors live on Sky Sports on Friday from 7.30pm
Wednesday 12 April 2023 21:18, UK
George Williams has ended talk of an imminent return to the NRL by signing a long-term contract with Warrington Wolves.
Stand-off Williams has been one of the stars of the Betfred Super League so far in 2023, building on some impressive displays for England at last year's Rugby League World Cup and helping the Wolves open the campaign with eight wins from eight games.
The 28-year-old, who spent a season-and-a-half in Australia with Canberra Raiders before moving to Warrington in 2021, had been linked with a switch back to the NRL, with Wests Tigers reported to be among the clubs chasing him. However, Williams has now agreed an extension to stay with the Wolves until the end of 2026.
"I'm delighted to say I've signed a two-year extension with Warrington Wolves," Williams, who was named Super League's Glen's Vodka Player of the Month ahead of Friday's match against former club Wigan Warriors, told Sky Sports News.
"I've got a young family and me and my girlfriend spoke about what we wanted, and how happy we are at Warrington at the moment. I'm happy to be back home in England, it's going as well as it possibly could on the field, and I feel really settled.
"The club has been good to me since I got here and I've shown a bit of faith in them to stick around and hopefully do something special.
"There were some options [in the NRL], but I'm happy at Warrington. I feel like I've been there, done that, and I'm looking forward to the next couple of years at Warrington. Hopefully we can start winning some trophies and staying top of the league would be nice."
Meanwhile, former Australia international prop Paul Vaughan has extended his stay at the Halliwell Jones Stadium until the end of 2025 following a string of strong showings since moving to the Wolves from Canterbury Bulldogs in the off-season.
Vaughan initially signed a two-year contract with Warrington, but he and his family have quickly settled into life in the UK and the 31-year-old has no hesitation in extending his stay for at least one more season.
"I'm excited to extend my stay," Vaughan told Sky Sports News. "It's been very enjoyable so far and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling for a successful year.
"We've really enjoyed our time here so far with the family, and with the boys playing such great football as well it's a big factor.
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"I want to be a part of a great squad and I've said in the past it's a huge opportunity this year with the squad we have.
"The club has been great to me and my family, the transition is nice and easy, and both parties wanted to agree and I've been lucky enough to do that."
Wilkin: Williams signing a huge boost for Super League
Sky Sports rugby league expert Jon Wilkin on George Williams' contract extension:
"It's huge news for the competition. Historically, we've celebrated the fact our players have gone over to play in Australia and I think that's quite an incredible thing to do.
"Every player who goes over to play in Australia weakens our competition, so the fact we've retained George Williams is an immense boost. He's been exceptional and no doubt lots of clubs in Australia were after him.
"To retain somebody and attract him back to Super League as we have, I think it's great.
"George Williams, since the World Cup, has rediscovered that instinctive play that we associate with him while he was in the NRL and prior to him leaving.
"It's effortless, it's dynamic, it's a threat with the ball. He can kick, pass and run, he organises very well, and for me, he's been the best player in the competition this year by some way in a team which is doing so well as well."
Watch Warrington Wolves take on Wigan Warriors in the first-versus-second clash in the Betfred Super League, live on Sky Sports Arena on Friday from 7.30pm (kick-off 8pm). Stream the 2023 Betfred Super League season on NOW TV.
