Dewsbury’s Haggarty signs for St Helens

hHaggarty joined the Rams at the start of last season, having had spells with Whitehaven and Barrow Raiders.

He will join up with Saints on March 1 but will be immediately loaned back to play for the Rams in 2015, while training full-time with his new club.

As part of the transfer deal, Dewsbury have agreed a healthy compensation package with Saints, which includes a pre-season friendly at Langtree Park in 2016, with all proceeds going to the Rams.

Haggarty told the Rams website: “I am excited by the opportunity of taking a contract with Saints but at the same time sad to be leaving Dewsbury - although I will be staying with them for the rest of the season.

“I’d like to thank Mark Sawyer for giving me the chance and Glenn Morrison for the hard work he has put in to me over the last two seasons to get me in a position were a club from Super League shows interest.

“When Dewsbury signed me my career was in the balance and, to be honest, I’d lost my confidence. Glenn and the great atmosphere in the changing rooms got me back on track. I’d like to thank all the lads and the fans very much.”

Dewsbury Chairman Mark Sawyer said: “In recent weeks three Super League clubs have shown an interest in Matthew.

“I would like to thank St Helens for the professional manner in which they have dealt with the transfer, but also in the compensation package they offered to the Rams.

“This includes Matthew being loaned - at Saints’ cost - back to us for the rest of the season along with a friendly game at Langtree Park. These, along with the other elements, made it a very acceptable agreement.

“It is important young players have the chance to step up to Super League should the chance arise. I will be sad to see Matthew go but I for one will watch his progress with great interest.”

Rams head coach Glenn Morrison added: “Matty is a good kid who has always been eager to learn and he’s really developed as a player during the last 12 months.

“We always knew there was something there and that’s been proven by this approach by St Helens. It’s a great opportunity for him.

“It’s great for him that a club like Saints has come on for him and a good reflection on the club that we’re developing players of this calibre.”