Catalans Dragons have signed Pat Richards on a two-year contract from the start of the 2016 season.
The prolific goal kicker, who has scored almost 3000 points over 15 seasons in the NRL and Super League, will be returning to Super League after a previous, impressive spell with Wigan Warriors.
“I am excited about coming back to the Super League, and the new challenge of playing for the Catalans Dragons,” said Richards. “My family and I are also excited about living in, and being a part of the French culture.”
Richards, 33, started his career at Parramatta in 2000, before moving to the Wests Tigers in 2004 where he won the 2005 Premiership title. With an impressive 76 NRL appearances and 40 tries under his belt, he then decided to join Wigan Warriors in 2006.
His eight-year stint with the Warriors was a resounding success; two Super League titles were added to his haul, two Challenge Cup winners’ medals, and, in 2010, when he finished as the season’s top point scorer with 434 points, the Super League `Man of Steel’ award.
He returned to Australia to rejoin Wests Tigers in 2014, where he made a further 35 NRL appearances, scored 19 tries and notched up another 264 NRL points.
Richards has also represented Ireland on 7 occasions, including at the World Cup, scoring 3 tries and 34 points.
“I am delighted with the signing of Pat Richards,” said Catalans Dragons head coach, Laurent Frayssinous. “We were looking for a player with a great experience.
With more than 300 Super League and NRL appearances, Pat will help the team, and especially the young players we have coming through, like Fouad Yaha. His try-per-game ratio proves he is a prolific try scorer, and his place kicking is second to none.”
