Christian Wade signs for Newcastle Red Bulls and vows to chase English club try-scoring record
Former Wasps and Gloucester wing will join Newcastle in December and says he aims to become the Gallagher Premiership’s all-time top try-scorer
Christian Wade has agreed to join Newcastle Red Bulls and said he is targeting the English club game’s all-time try-scoring record.
Wade, 34, will move to Kingston Park in December once his contract with Super League side Wigan Warriors expires. He has scored 93 tries in the Gallagher Premiership during spells with Wasps and Gloucester, putting him eight behind the league’s leading figure, Chris Ashton.
“I’m coming to get that record,” Wade said. He added that while rugby is a team sport and his priority is to be “a positive influence in helping Newcastle to perform,” he would not hide his personal ambition. “When I spoke to Steve Diamond, he just said: ‘We want you to express yourself and get that record.’ ”
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Diamond welcomed the signing, saying Wade “has scored tries wherever he has been and remains one of the best finishers in the game.” Diamond praised Wade’s recent form for Gloucester and his decision to challenge himself in rugby league, and said the player would bring both quality and character to the squad.
Wade holds the Gallagher Premiership record for hat-tricks, with seven, and scored 11 tries in 14 top-flight appearances for Gloucester last season. His career has spanned both codes: he has played rugby union in France for Racing 92, had a spell in the NFL in the United States and more recently moved into rugby league with Wigan Warriors.
The signing represents a significant coup for Newcastle, who won only two Premiership matches last season but were taken over by the Red Bull organisation over the summer. The club’s new ownership has signalled ambitious plans and an investment in high-performance structures; Wade described a “massive buzz” around the Red Bulls project and said he was eager to help elevate the team early in the new era.
Diamond said he was struck by Wade’s ambition and articulation when they met, and predicted the arrival would add to growing excitement at the club. The move also bolsters Newcastle’s attacking options ahead of pre-season preparations.
Wade’s return to the Premiership comes as the competition’s all-time try record remains a tangible target. He has been a consistent finisher at club level across his career and his switch back to union will test whether he can close the eight-try gap on the leader.
In other international news, England full-back Ellie Kildunne will miss her side’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Scotland after experiencing concussion symptoms. Kildunne was forced off during England’s 47-7 win over Australia in Brighton last Saturday. Red Roses coach John Mitchell is expected to replace her with either Helena Rowland or Emma Sing, with hopes she will be fit should England reach the semi-finals.
Newcastle confirmed Wade’s signing but said he will remain with Wigan until his current contract concludes. The club and player will provide further details of his integration into the squad ahead of his December arrival.