Raiders confirm Bateman deal

Canberra Raiders have confirmed the signing of back-rower John Bateman from Wigan Warriors on a three-year deal.

Wigan on Wednesday announced that Bateman has agreed a move to an unnamed NRL club for a significant transfer fee at the end of the Super League season.

Canberra was expected to be the versatile England international's destination and the switch was confirmed on Thursday.

The 24-year-old will return to Wigan as a marquee player when he ends his spell in Australia.

Bateman will be one of four Englishmen at GIO Stadium next season, with Wigan team-mate Ryan Sutton also making the move to join captain Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead.

Hodgson said: "There's a few of us coming, it looks like we've half taken over.

"I spoke to Stick [coach Ricky Stuart] at the start of the year [about signing Bateman], he's a natural competitor no matter where you put him on the field you know he's going to do a job for you.

"He's similar to Elliott in a lot of ways in terms of his work rate and his team-first attitude, he'll do whatever he needs to get the win, so he's a great acquisition for us."