Tuesday 11 October 2016 15:35, UK
Wigan Warriors have confirmed that scrum-half Matty Smith is joining St Helens on a three-year contract.
The England international, 29, leaves Wigan after four-and-a-half years during which Wigan twice won Super League as well as winning the Challenge Cup in 2013 when he was named man of the match in the win over Hull.
Smith played 139 games for Wigan, scoring 22 tries, kicking 304 goals and a club-record 25 drop-goals.
Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan said: "This was a particularly difficult decision for everyone involved and one that was made after much thought and consideration.
"St Helens approached Wigan earlier this year to discuss Matty's future and made it clear that they would be willing to offer him a long-term contract; an additional two years beyond that which Matty had remaining on his contract at Wigan.
"With George Williams firmly established as an important first team player and Thomas Leuluai re-joining the club shortly, together with the emergence of Jake Shorrocks and the cover that Sam Powell brings, we felt that the time was right in view of his tremendous service to Wigan for Matty to take up this new opportunity and secure his long-term future.
Head coach Shaun Wane said: "With long-term injuries to many key players this year Matty played in all but one game and led the team exceptionally well throughout the season.
"He has become a real leader of the team over the last four and a half years and he will always have my utmost respect."
Saints head coach Keiron Cunningham said: "I'm delighted to have secured the services of Matty. He a class scrum-half who possesses a fantastic kicking and passing game as well as being an accomplished goal kicker.
"He has excellent leadership qualities and composure in big games after having experienced several over the course of his career.
"His partnership with Theo Fages will be an exciting one to watch."
This will be Smith's second spell at St Helens - he left them to join Salford in 2010 before moving to Wigan in 2012.
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