Luke Yates to join Warrington Wolves for 2025 season

And like many who have joined in the recent past, he said the chance to work under a man he considers an idol in Sam Burgess was a big factor in his decision.

The forward, who has captained Huddersfield Giants for the past three seasons having established himself as one of the game's hardest-working players, has penned a two-year deal to move to The Halliwell Jones Stadium from next year.

At present, it is thought he will be the only new face for next year although that may change should second-rower Matty Nicholson’s rumoured move to the NRL come to fruition.

> Why Luke Yates emerged as Warrington Wolves' top recruitment target

Luke Yates tackles Paul Vaughan during the Challenge Cup semi-final earlier this month (Image: SWPix.com)

While he may not be at Warrington next season, Yates now will be and when he arrives, he says he will look to “lead by example.”

“The opportunity for me to come and play for a club like Warrington with Sam Burgess as Head Coach is massive for me.

“Sam was someone I idolised when he played NRL and to have the opportunity to work and learn from someone like him was a big factor. 

“I’ll look to lead by example with my work ethic and how I go about my business. I want to contribute to success there from next season.

“I’m excited to get amongst it with the club and to play in front of the Warrington fanbase next year.”

Luke Yates 'will bring great quality and leadership'

Yates played with current Wire second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon in Australia having come through the ranks alongside him at Newcastle Knights before first arriving in Super League in 2019 with London Broncos before joining Salford Red Devils the following year then following head coach Ian Watson to Huddersfield.

Since then, he has established himself as one of the competition’s leading players defensively – he topped Super League’s tackle charts during the 2023 season having completed 1,027 at an average of 42 per game.

Since arriving in England, he has finished among the top 10 tacklers in every season – he was second in 2019, fourth in both 2020 and 2021 and eighth in 2022.

This season too, he is currently 10th on the list having made 366 tackles in his nine Super League appearances.

“Luke is an outstanding player who has been one of the comp’s most consistent and hard-working forwards for a number of years,” Burgess said.

“He will bring great quality and leadership to our pack and I’m excited to work with him next season.”