St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that the 2027 season will be Matty Lees’ final season as a player for the Saints, with the prop set to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs from the 2028 season.
Lees, sponsored by LWC Drinks at the Saints, is a graduate of the Saints Academy system, joining the Club as a 16-year-old and progressing through the ranks to make his official debut in 2017, aged just 18.
The 28-year-old prop forward has gone on to make 199 appearances for St.Helens, so far, and has become a stalwart of the England international team.
Lees was named captain ahead of the 2026 season, but injury sees him sidelined currently, after knee surgery, which is expected to keep him out of action for the remainder of the 2026 Super League season.
St.Helens and Lees have agreed to announce this news now to allow both parties to plan openly for the future. Matty’s professionalism and commitment have always been exemplary and will undoubtedly continue as he focuses on his rehabilitation and prepares for a blockbusting return next season – his final in the Red V.
Saints have already moved quickly to strengthen our front-row options following Lees’ injury, securing the signing of Daniel Suluka-Fifita, who arrives in the UK this week.
Chairman Eamonn McManus stated: “Matty’s commitment to the St.Helens’ First Team and its successes has been immense over the last decade. He has won every honour with us and will go down as a legend of the Club. I’m sure that he will carry on in that vein when he recovers from injury and that he will be giving absolutely everything, as only he knows how to, in the 2027 season.
“Matty has had an ambition to play in the NRL for some time, and we respect that, particularly after so many years of putting his body on the line for us. He had an NRL break clause in his existing contract for 2028 and, therefore, in turn, he has shown respect to us by honouring his contractual obligations to the full.
“We will wish him and his family every success in his new adventure in Papua New Guinea when the time comes, but that is clearly some time away yet. There is much, much more for Matty to achieve with the Saints before then, and I’m confident that he will.
“Finally, we would like to put on record our appreciation of the professionalism and cooperation exhibited by the senior management of the PNG Chiefs in their dealings on this matter with our club.”
Speaking about the news, Matty Lees said: “The last ten years playing for this club have meant absolutely everything to me. This club is family. It has seen me grow from a young lad coming through the Academy, making my way into the First Team, to having the honour of being named captain.
“Together, we’ve shared some incredible memories and achieved things I could only have dreamed of when I first pulled on the shirt. Winning Super League titles, the Challenge Cup, the World Club Challenge, and creating lifelong memories with teammates, staff and supporters. Those are moments I’ll cherish forever.
“Sometimes in life, when an opportunity comes, you have to take it on. Playing in the NRL has been a dream of mine for a very long time, and the opportunity that has been presented to my family and me is one that I could not turn away from.
“I will forever be grateful to the Club, the fans, my teammates and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. St.Helens has shaped me both as a player and as a person, and I’ll always be indebted to this club for everything it has given me.
“That said, I still have another season to play here, and my focus remains on doing everything I can to help bring more success and silverware to this great club.”
Highly regarded by his Saints teammates for his industrious work rate and fearless attitude, Lees has been a key figure in St.Helens’ Super League title-winning years from 2019 to 2022. He has also earned three League Leaders’ Shields, the 2021 Challenge Cup, and the 2023 World Club Challenge, among other honours.
An established England international, Matty has 12 caps to his name so far, featuring in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, series victories over Tonga and Samoa, and most recently starting in the front row against Australia in the Ashes series.
