Canterbury-Bankstown forward Luke Thompson is set to return to the UK Super League after a disappointing stint in the NRL.
The Bulldogs acquired Thompson from St Helens midway through the 2020 season on a four-year contract worth an estimated $800,000 per year.
After a run of injuries and suspensions, Thompson played just 42 games across four seasons and The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis said the big-money recruit simply didn’t pan out for the Bulldogs.
“It’s been a disappointing stint in Australia for Luke Thompson,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He showed pieces of why he was hyped and he came to Australia on a mega-deal from St Helens to join Canterbury.
“He was one of the highest paid props in the game but he only played 42 games and his time in the NRL is all but over.
“He will sign a four-year deal with Wigan which is a monster deal and he will be one of the marquee players (for the Super League).
“He wanted to stay in the NRL but the market just wasn’t here for him off the back of a poor finish for Canterbury.
“It’s a shame because you know on his good day (he’s excellent) and he just needed consistency.
“He spent far too much time on the sidelines.
“The Bulldogs flew him halfway around the world to get him here (and) he’s not been the player the Bulldogs had hoped he would be.
“It just hasn’t worked out.”
Thompson returned to the Bulldogs in Round 24 this year and managed only four games in the 2023 season.
SEN’s Andrew Voss said Thompson failed to enhance his reputation unlike other English imports.
“I don’t think he’s been great,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“When I think of Englishman who have come out here and got better, I think of Elliot Whitehead.
“He was unheralded even though he had decent Super League experience but he became a better player when he was out here.
“Josh Hodgson. He played for his country but he became much better in the NRL.
“You can’t say the same thing about Luke Thompson.”