Saints have announced they have signed last season’s championship top try scorer Tee Ritson on a season-long loan with an option to sign on a permanent deal.

The move will see Ritson make the step up from the Championship to Super League for the first time in his career, and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Alex Walmsley and Joe Batchelor as high-profile championship players to make the similar step up at Saints.

Ritson started his career at Workington Town coming through their academy, and in 2016 he picked up three club awards including the Players’ Player of the Year following a break-out season for the young winger which also saw him receive an international call-up for Thailand.

For the 2018 season, he moved to Newcastle Thunder but only spent a season there before moving to Barrow for their 2019 season in the Championship, where he again impressed bagging 12 tries in 23 appearances, in a season where Barrow were unfortunately relegated to League 1.

With the curtailment of the season due to covid in 2020, Riston’s next chance to show his skills would be in 2021, and that he did, picking up 22 tries in just 15 appearances as Barrow regained a spot in the Championship for 2022.

Already attracting interest, Ritson had eyes on him from the start of the season with his eye-catching pace and try scoring ability. His most high-profile game to date was the Challenge Cup tie against Huddersfield Giants in which the Championship outfit put up an admirable fight and Riston, as he had been doing all year, picked up yet another eye-catching try.

Ritson went on to finish the season with Barrow having played 31 games picking up 33 tries, ending the season as the Betfred Championship’s top try scorer

With the departure of Saints’ Regan Grace to Racing in French Rugby Union, the number 5 shirt went to Jon Bennison, but Ritson’s loan capture will add cover and competition for places on both wings.

 
New head coach Paul Wellens said on Ritson: “Tee is a player we’ve been watching a lot this season, especially once we knew we’d be looking at the season with one less winger and we’d need more competition within the squad.

“His pace and athleticism are there for everyone to see and he’s had an impressive year as he was crowned the top try scorer in the championship last season.

“He has a great work ethic and a fantastic attitude which I’m sure will see him continue to develop with us at Saints over the coming season.

“We can’t wait to welcome him into our system and get going.”

On signing for Saints Ritson said: “This is an absolute dream come true for me. It’s always been an ambition of mine to play in the Super League, and now I have the opportunity to do so for the best team in the league. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m grateful for this opportunity.

“I’m really excited to get started and to meet everyone at the club. There?s a wealth of knowledge and experience in this team and I?m looking forward to learning from some of the best players and coaches in the world.

“I will be giving it my all. This club has a rich history and, hopefully, I can be a part of that. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and hopefully, I can make my family, friends and fans of the club proud.”

Ritson will join up with the Saints in time for pre-season, and will wear the number 25 for the 2023 season