Castleford Tigers' Callum McLelland moves on without playing a game in two years

21 June 2023 , 17:00

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Castleford's Callum McLelland (Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com/REX/Shutterstock)

Luckless stand-off Callum McLelland has left Castleford having been crocked for almost two years and never played a game.

He joined from Leeds at the end of 2021 but was unable to make a single appearance due to an ongoing patella tendon injury. Castleford have reached an agreement on an early termination of the player’s contract after a recent setback in his recovery.

Pontefract-born McLelland, 23, will now begin a ‘new venture outside of the sport’ and said: “I’m gutted I haven’t been able to play a game in the two years I’ve had here.

“I have been doing everything I can to get fit and to get back playing but unfortunately, my injuries haven’t allowed me to. The club has been great with me since I arrived, and I can’t thank the performance and medical staff enough, especially Matty (Crowther). I’m hoping the lads can finish this season strong and I wish them all the best.”

McLelland started out in Castleford’s academy and was one of British rugby league’s top young talents. He crossed codes before playing a first-team game for Tigers and represented Scotland Under 20s at rugby union before returning to Headingley and playing 16 games for Rhinos.

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But he has been dogged by injuries, picking up his current serious knee injury in what turned out to be his last game, playing for Leeds at Wakefield on August 30 2021.

Leeds Rhinos' Callum McLelland scores in a testimonial match (PA)

Tigers coach Andy Last said: “We are really disappointed that we couldn’t get Callum in a position to perform for Castleford. Despite the best efforts of the performance team and medical team and Callum’s hard work, unfortunately we have come to an amicable agreement that it would be in both parties' best interests to go our separate ways. We wish Callum the best of luck in his future career plans.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield have also released another player with the surprise decision to let ex-Manly winger Jorge Taufua depart. He has played a dozen times this year but a mutual release has been agreed and he is expected to follow stand-off Lee Gaskell - let go a few days ago - to Championship club Bradford.

David Craven