Scone-born NRL player Cade Cust has been released from the final year of his contract at the Manly Sea Eagles and will join the Wigan Warriors in the UK Super League.
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Cust has signed a two-year deal with Wigan, with the option for a third, after being recommended to the Warriors by former Aussie player Trent Barrett, who played two seasons for the club in 2007 and 2008.
Speaking to Wigan Today, Cust said he was excited by the opportunity to play in the Super League.
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"It all happened quite quickly," he said. "They reached out and we were having chats about the way they wanted me to play - playing in the halves and being a dominant figure.
"And I think that's something that will be good for my footy career. As a half, if I go over there and play good footy, I think I'll develop not only as a player but [also] as a person. It will be an experience.
"I can't wait to join a club like Wigan. They're very prestigious. There's a lot of history there."
"I can't wait to join a club like Wigan. They're very prestigious. There's a lot of history there."
- Cade Cust
Cust made his NRL debut for Manly in 2019 against the Cronulla Sharks and went on to play 27 games for the Sea Eagles, scoring nine tries.
In announcing his departure, Manly said Cust's "versatility to play five-eighth, half, and hooker saw the 23-year-old develop into a valued member of the team".
"If I return to the NRL, Manly will have the first opportunity to negotiate a deal," Cust told Manly's official website.
"I love Manly. It's where I've grown up playing through the juniors, and that's [his relationship with the club] always there if I do come back to the NRL - and hopefully we can sort that out in the future.
"It's a door I won't close, because I love the club."
Cust said he was very grateful for the opportunities provided to him by Manly as a junior player.
"I remember as a 16-year-old, I had Mum and Dad and Pop driving me back and forth [to Sea Eagles training] two days a week from Scone," he said.
"Back then I was going, 'This is unbelievable'. And now having had the chance to progress through the grades, I'm just very grateful I've had the opportunity to play for this club."
Manly coach Des Hasler said he wished Cust well in the next chapter of his rugby league career.
"Cade is a wonderful young man who developed into a fine NRL player at the Sea Eagles after coming through our successful under-20s team,'' Hasler said.
"He has worked hard on his game in recent seasons and his ability to cover positions in the halves and hooker is very valuable."
The signing of Cust by the Warriors has already generated considerable excitement among Super League fans in the UK.
Bookmaker have installed him joint favourite to win the league's best player gong in 2022.
Born in Scone, Cust came through the junior ranks at the Scone Thoroughbreds before joining Manly.
He was an instrumental part of Manly's under-20 side who won the 2017 premiership and was named man of the match in the grand final.
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