Castleford Tigers have announced that three of their younger players will head out on loan for the remainder of the season to find game time as the season draws to a close.
The Tigers, who are still without a head coach, have sent the trio to League One sides, in the hope of them gaining more experience playing against adults and stronger competition than other academy sides.
Woody Walker, a loose forward yet to make his Super League debut, will head to Newcastle Thunder for the remainder of the campaign. Walker has appeared for the North East club for the last two weeks, in heavy defeats to North Wales Crusaders and Dewsbury Rams. He will continue to represent the Thunder as they look to earn their first win of the year before the season culminates.
Andy Djeukessi, who made his Super League debut last week in the Tigers’ defeat to St Helens last Friday night, will head to Cumbria and turn out for Workington Town for the final three games. The winger has had an impressive spell there already this year, scoring five tries in four matches in June and July.
Akim Matvejev has joined Rochdale Hornets as they look to climb the table, sitting in the final playoff spot just one point behind Dewsbury in 4th.
He made his Super League debut in 2024, facing St Helens and Huddersfield Giants in defeats. In 2025, he has appeared for Workington but will now head to somewhere more local.
Castleford Tigers youngster looking to develop at lower league club
“I’m really excited to learn from a new set of players and coaches, and help where I can on the field,” Matvejev said, speaking on his move to the Hornets.
“I’m ready to gain some valuable experience at the club and finish off the season strongly to hopefully break into the top four.”
Rochdale head coach, Gary Thornton, said: “We have secured Akim on loan before the deadline to bolster the squad going into the final phase of the season.
He added: “He’s a very promising young front-rower in a full-time environment with Castleford, and has already played League One football this season. He’s a big aggressive forward who will add enthusiasm and quality to our options in the pack.”
Djeukessi and Matvejev will face each other in what could be a crucial playoff clash at the end of this month, when Workington host Rochdale. Both sides are currently in the playoffs but they each need to win in order to break into the top two and top four respectively.
