Castleford Tigers forward Gadwin Springer has come along an unusual path to get to the club – but says now he’s here, he’s delighted to be part of the setup.
Springer might just be the first South American ever to play in Super League – he hails from the unlikely Rugby League haven of French Guyana.
He moved to France ten years ago and took up the sport, before eventually moving on to Catalans Dragons. And after completing a switch to Cas last week, he says it’s a thrill to be playing in England.
“The coach spoke with my agent, and he told me that Castleford were interested. I was very happy because I know Castleford is a really good team, and I had to take my chance to come over here,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to come and play in England if I had the chance, because I knew if I had the chance it would be a great experience.
“I come from South America; French Guyana is the place I was born in. I moved to France in 2005; when I came to France I’d never played rugby league before. I started at Toulouse and then eventually came through the system and went to the Dragons.
“I said to the coach I wanted to come here because it’s a good opportunity, I spoke to him and he wasn’t very happy about it, but it was a move I really wanted to make. I know Daryl Powell is a very good coach and I’m excited to come over here and learn from him and play under him.”
