A rare player swap between Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons has been confirmed, with Oliver Partington set to re-join the Warriors on a long-term deal and Kruise Leeming heading to the south of France on loan for the 2026 season.
Partington, 27, returns to Wigan on a five-year contract, closing the loop on a career that has seen him develop into one of the Super League’s most reliable middle forwards. The forward previously played 91 games for the Warriors before departing for Salford ahead of the 2023 season. After two seasons with the Red Devils, Partington joined Catalans in 2025, where he went on to make 28 appearances in his lone campaign with the Dragons.
While his stay in Perpignan was brief, Partington quickly became a trusted figure in the Dragons’ rotation, making his departure a notable one as Catalans reshape their squad under Joel Tomkins.
In return, Kruise Leeming will link up with the Dragons on a season-long loan for 2026, bringing significant experience and attacking spark to Catalans’ spine. The hooker arrives with over 200 senior appearances across Super League and the NRL, including a short stint at the Gold Coast Titans, where he featured 10 times.
Leeming is expected to play a key role in Tomkins’ evolving squad, particularly around the ruck, where his creativity and tempo could prove decisive.
Catalans coach Joel Tomkins acknowledged the mixed emotions surrounding the deal, praising Partington’s contribution while outlining the club’s excitement around Leeming’s arrival.
“I would like to wish Ollie well on the next chapter of his career and thank him for his outstanding service to the Dragons in 2025,” Tomkins said.
“Although we are disappointed to lose Ollie, we are presented with an opportunity to reshape our squad with the addition of Kruise. He will add a different dimension to our team, especially in attack. Alrix Da Costa and Kruise will complement each other and provide us with a constant threat around the ruck.”
For Wigan, Partington’s return provides long-term stability and familiarity in the forward pack, while Catalans gain an experienced hooker capable of immediately influencing their attacking structure in 2026.
The move represents a calculated gamble for both clubs — Wigan banking on continuity, and Catalans betting on creativity as they continue their rebuild.
