SCRUM half Danny Richardson has left Saints for Castleford Tigers for an undisclosed transfer fee.

The 2018 Dream Team number seven, who has been at St Helens since joining from Halton Hornets at 16 years of age, has had limited first team opportunities this year and even spent part of the year on dual registration at Leigh after losing his starting spot to Theo Fages.

He did feature in the side 12 times when injury struck and has still done enough in that time to earn selection for Sunday's England Knights game against Jamaica - but with Fages and Jonny Lomax providing a settled pairing in the halves combined with Lachlan Coote at full back, Richardson's opportunities appeared to be reliant on injury.

Richardson said: “I’ve loved my time at the Saints right through the Academy system to the first team and I want to thank everyone who has made that possible.

"I’ve had some memorable moments in a Saints shirt and I want to thank the fans and the club for all their support, but I’m now ready for a new challenge at Castleford. 

"From a personal point of view, it's been an awful year for me and I'm looking forward to reminding people what I can do and putting myself back on show.
"There were a few clubs enquiring about me for next year, but the minute my agent came to me and told me about Cas being interested I jumped at the chance and couldn't wait to get the deal over the line.
"With the coaching staff we have and the way other half-backs have developed whilst they've been at the club over the years, I thought that if there was a place for me to improve and get the best out of myself it was going to be with the Tigers."

He will replace Luke Gale, who has joined Leeds and Cas coach Daryl Powell is looking forward to pairing Richardson up with Great Britain tourist Jake Trueman.

"We have just made a signing that should excite and engage all of our supporters as we look towards 2020," Powell said. "We have signed one of the best young half-backs in rugby league to work alongside Jake Trueman.
"Danny is a player of real quality with the potential to play international rugby. He has a sharp rugby mind alongside his ability to kick the ball in a special way both for goal and tactically.
"We are looking forward to helping Danny go to the next level in his career and can't wait to get started towards next season."
 

St Helens Star:

A fine kicker, who toured Australia with Saints Academy in 2013, Richardson was part of the unbeaten Academy Championship side in 2016 and his first team debut followed in 2017 and he went on to play 13 times for the club in his first season.

2018 was a breakthrough year for Richardson as he topped the goal and points scoring charts, including that memorable moment when he kicked the penalty from half way to break Warrington hearts.

But 2019 has been a frustrating season for the half back as he fell down the in the pecking order.

Saints Chairman Eamonn McManus said: “Danny is one of our Academy successes. He has risen through the ranks here at the club from the age of 16.

"It will be sad to see him leave the club given he has been here for a number of years, but we wish Danny all the best at Castleford and the years ahead.”

Richardson made 59 appearances and scored 10 tries for Saints, kicking 175 goals.