Leigh Leopards are delighted to confirm that fan favourite and Super League’s all-time leading try scorer Josh Charnley has extended his stay with the club.
Charnley, 35, has been a pivotal figure in the Leopards’ recent success since joining the club midway through the Championship-winning 2022 season. A prolific finisher and hugely popular figure with supporters, he has continued to deliver at the highest level and recently wrote his name into the history books by becoming Super League’s all-time leading try scorer.
One of the game’s most accomplished wingers, Charnley has enjoyed a remarkable career that has included two Super League Grand Final victories and four Challenge Cup wins, including the Leopards’ historic triumph in 2023. He has also represented England and England Knights and has been selected in the Super League Dream Team on three occasions.
Since arriving at Leigh, Josh has become an integral part of the club both on and off the field. His professionalism, work ethic and remarkable try-scoring record have made him a firm favourite with the Leopards faithful.
Director of Rugby Andrew Henderson said:
“Josh embodies everything we want Leigh to stand for: work ethic, humility and a relentless drive to compete.
His professionalism, leadership and try-scoring ability set the standard, so we are delighted he has committed to our club.
Josh has become a fan favourite for good reason. He delivers every week, lifts the people around him, and cares deeply about this club.
Keeping him at Leigh is a huge boost for our squad and our supporters.”
Head Coach Adrian Lam said:
“When we signed Josh in 2022, we were a Championship club and there was a lot of shock that a player of Josh’s calibre had joined Leigh. Since then, we have grown as a club to the level where a player of Josh’s quality is the expected standard, and that growth is, in large part, down to Josh.
He’s one of our oldest players, but this season it looks like he’s getting younger. His try record speaks for itself, not just this season; he is also the all-time leading Super League try scorer. Everyone at the club is so proud to have played a part in helping him achieve such an incredible milestone.
It’s not just on the field that Josh is going to be a big asset. We’re bringing a lot of young players through at the club, and having someone like Josh around to set standards, as well as someone the younger players can learn from, will be a massive help.
You only have to listen to the crowd singing Josh’s song on a game day to understand how loved he is by the fans. It’s the same with the coaches and staff — he’s a really popular member of the team, and having him with us next year is a huge benefit.”
Club owner Derek Beaumont said:
“I am delighted to keep Josh at our club. Ultimately, player retention and recruitment must always be the decision of the Head Coach and Director of Rugby, irrespective of what I may think or any commercial benefits an individual player may bring, as ultimately they are here to play rugby and add value to the team.
Josh has demonstrated through his performances this year that he is still at the top of his game and one of the best wingers in Super League. His commitment to the team was evident, chasing back in our last game against York, and he has shown that he isn’t slowing down with some fantastic finishing and his ability to take people on the outside.
From an off-field club point of view, I am also delighted, as Josh is a fan favourite and I know this will be popular with our supporters. His name is requested more than any other when it comes to packing membership boxes and to be printed on shirts, and he is always ever too happy to attend events with a massive Charnley smile on his face.
Having met his latest addition to the family – Arow – at just two days old while attending his first game, it’s great that he will be able to be part of our famileigh, alongside the rest of Josh’s family, watching him continue to post tries as the competition’s all-time leading try scorer.”
In a recent interview, Josh gave these words regarding his contract extension:
“I’m over the moon. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. At the beginning of the year, I spoke to my family and said this might be my last, but coming into the year, I got my body right, so I put it on Derek and Lammy’s toes and said I wanted to go round again.
I’m happy to be staying at this club and I’m grateful for the opportunity they’ve given me. It’s a good club to be at – I speak about it all the time. They’re going places, and I’m glad to still be a part of it.”
Charnley’s extension is another significant boost for the Leopards as the club continues to build towards the business end of the 2026 Betfred Super League campaign.
With his place in Super League history already secured, the Leopards look forward to seeing one of the game’s greatest try scorers continue his remarkable career at the Leopards Den.
Josh is proudly sponsored by iXtract