A Salford Red Devils transfer target is embroiled in a confusing transfer saga with his current employers releasing a lengthy statement.
Workington Town winger Levi Atiga was first linked with Salford Red Devils late in the season amid reports that his mum, Tracy Atiga, was involved with the then Super League club. It’s believed that Tracy Atiga is currently involved in a consortium seeking to take over at Salford.
With the Championship season fast approaching, Workington have released a lengthy statement to confirm that Levi Atiga is contracted at the club for 2026, however, links to and previous communication with Salford is creating further problems.
In a lengthy statement released on the club’s Facebook page, to which Levi Atiga, his mum and his dad have all responded in the comments, Workington tried to offer clarity for their fans about the situation.
Salford Red Devils-linked man in contract confusion
Town opened up their statement by claiming that Atiga has signed a deal with them for 2026 with the winger having penned a new one-year contract.
However, they confirm that when approached by the player about a move to Salford Red Devils, they agreed to support that but advised that the then owners of Salford had to approach Workington to negotiate a deal for Atiga.
Town confirmed that they contacted Salford and specifically Paul King to agree a “compensation package”. That package would be paid in two parts, due on the first working week of November with a second payment set for December 1st.
The first payment date passed leading Workington to contract Atiga and inform him of his contractual obligation to play for them in 2026, however, they received an email from his mum, Tracy, who was acting as Levi’s advisor.
That email included assurances that “confirmation of Levi’s playing intentions for 2026” would be made by December 17th, with Town releasing their update on December 21st after no communication came from Atiga’s advisors.
Based on that, Workington have moved to clarify that Atiga is contracted to them and that any interested parties should contract the club chairman.
Comments on that post included those from Levi, his father and his mother, with his mother claiming that they were offered a deadline of December 22nd, today, as she added: “We intend to keep to that deadline.”
She clarified that the deadline was lined up with the RFL’s proposed extended announcement of Salford’s licence renewal, affirming once again that the deadline would be stuck to.
That means we could see movement on the future of Salford Red Devils today, and in turn the future of Levi Atiga.
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Workington Town statement in full
Below is the full statement from Workington Town, posted on the club’s Facebook page.
“UPDATE – LEVI ATIGA.
“We would like to take this opportunity to update our supporters and stakeholders of Workington Town RLFC about the situation relating to Levi Atiga and his signed contract with us for 2026.
“At the moment Levi is in New Zealand. As previously announced Levi signed a new 1 year contract to remain with us for 2026 on 6th August 2025.
“A while after signing the new contract Levi approached the club and made us aware that he had been offered a deal with a considerable financial package for 2026 by then officials of Salford Red Devils. We had a verbal agreement with Levi that we would support his desire to play Super League and we are very proud in the role we have played in helping him get his Rugby career back on track.
“We informed Levi that we would albeit reluctantly support his wish and facilitate a transfer to Salford Red Devils, who at the time were going through their HMRC proceedings. We were informed that the situation would be resolved in a positive manner and the owners at the time would retain control.
“However, we advised that the then owners needed to make an official approach to Workington Town and negotiate a suitable compensation package for Levi. We didn’t hear or receive any official communication so had to make contact with them to try to resolve the situation so we had clarity.
“We required an agreement so we, a club with our own ambitions and aspirations could plan accordingly for 2026 and beyond.
“On 18th September Ashley Kilpatrick contacted Paul King (who was at that point in an official role at Salford Red Devils) and on 23rd September we agreed a compensation package after he had communicated with the then owners. This was to be paid to Workington Town RLFC for Levi’s playing services for 2026 in the first working week of November and a 2nd payment on 1st December.
“The first date passed without any communication or compensation paid by the then owners of Salford Red Devils.
“At that point we contacted Levi by email and advised that we expected him back for the start of January to commence his contract with Workington Town. We advised that we felt the most sensible solution would be to return to Workington, play and if any club approached us for his services for 2026 then we would be open to discuss any offers made and support his desire to play top level RL.
“We then received an email from Tracy Atiga who informed us that she was now acting as his advisor and we were to liaise with her from that point. We were told that after the 17th December (when control of Salford would be determined), we would receive confirmation of Levi’s playing intentions for 2026 and they would understand if we revoked our offer.
“As a club we operate within the terms and conditions of RFL signed contracts and we have now informed Levi’s advisors of that and that we expect his return. If his wishes are to pursue other opportunities then we will await official approaches from the club’s involved and negotiate accordingly for Levi to leave Workington Town RLFC.
“As of today, 21st December, we have had no communication from his advisors even though we emailed them to reiterate our position. We are doing our upmost to act fairly and proactively because as it stands we have a visa application in process that will take 8-10 weeks to finalise meaning the longer this ‘impasse’ continues Levi will not be allowed to fly into the UK to play for Workington Town RLFC or anyone else for that matter.
“We are also aware of ‘rumours’ of clubs being approached by his advisors and clubs approaching him, and we understand that may well be because the situation and his contractual status is unclear.
“We are providing that clarity and are confirming that Workington Town RLFC currently have the only official signed and registered playing contract for Levi and anyone interested in his services will need to contact club chairman on his club email: graeme.peers@townrlfc.co.uk
“We, of course, wish to resolve this matter urgently.”
