Castleford Tigers have confirmed the immediate release of one of their star players despite one year remaining on their contract.

Centre Sam Wood will leave Wheldon Road with a year left on his current Castleford Tigers deal with the 28-year-old free to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Wood was named as Castleford captain ahead of the 2025 season, heading up a six-man leadership group constructed by the new Tigers coach Danny McGuire.

It was somewhat of a shock appointment but Wood had displayed incredible form in 2024 as he earned himself an England call-up.

The 2025 campaign was tougher though with Wood eventually replaced as skipper by Alex Mellor and despite displaying strong form in the final few rounds of the season, Castleford have allowed Wood to leave to explore new options.

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Castleford Tigers release Sam Wood

In a statement posted on the club’s social media, they confirmed Wood’s exit with ‘playing opportunities elsewhere’ listed as the key reason for his release.

The brief statement read: “Castleford Tigers can confirm that Sam Wood has been released from the final year of his contract to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.

“We wish Sam all the best for the future and thank him for his service to Castleford Tigers. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”

Wood will have plenty of suitors given his talent and it was understood that Hull FC had taken a look at him for their vacant centre role before opting to target Arthur Romano, as revealed by Serious About Rugby League.

As for Cas, they’ve signed NRL outside backs Mikaele Ravalawa and Semi Valemei with the expectation being that one of those men will play in the centres, possibly alongside incumbent Zac Cini, though the Australian has also been linked away recently.

📰Castleford Tigers can confirm that Sam Wood has been released from the final year of his contract to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.

We wish Sam all the best for the future and thank him for his service to Castleford Tigers.

Once a Tiger, always a Tiger 🐯 pic.twitter.com/sGYDxHhJiI

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) September 27, 2025