Catalans Dragons have announced their latest overseas recruit ahead of the 2026 Super League season with Charlie Staines signing for the club. The Wests Tigers winger has joined the club on a two-year deal with the Perpignan outfit.
The 24-year-old becomes Catalans’ seventh signing for 2026 and sixth from Down Under, with Staines set to follow his Wests teammate Solomona Faataape to the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Catalans have also announced the signings of Toby Sexton, Josh Allen, Zac Lipowicz, Harvey Wilson and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui for next season as the club look to overhaul their squad with young, hungry and talented players.
Staines joins Catalans after spending much of this season on the peripheries of the Wests squad, making just seven appearances for the club. He has still managed to touch down on four occasions, though, with his last try coming at the start of the July in the win over Sydney Roosters.
He’s in his third year with Wests and since joining in 2023, he has scored 16 tries in 38 appearances. Staines had three years in the Penrith Panthers’ side, where he scored 23 tires in 39 games including one in the 2022 NRL Grand Final win over Parramatta Eels.
Charlie Staines speaks on joining Catalans Dragons
“It’s certainly an exciting development for myself and the family,” Staines told the Dragons’ website after penning a deal. “Speaking to the Catalans manager and coach I believe they are working towards setting the club up for a better future and I am excited about being a key part of it, I look forward to taking on this new challenge with the Catalans Dragons.”
Head coach Joel Tomkins said of his latest recruit: “Charlie joins us with a wealth of NRL experience and has played games at the highest level including a Grand Final win. His speed and ability to beat defenders will be a big asset to our attack next season.
“It’s a big decision for Charlie to move his young family to this side of the world and he is coming with a motivation to be a part of a successful Dragons team.”
