Former Wigan Warriors Super League and Challenge Cup winner announces retirement after 16-year career

Former Wigan Warriors centre Iain Thornley has announced his retirement from professional rugby following a 16-year career.

The 35-year-old has hung up his boots with immediate effect, having reached a mutual agreement with Oldham following a two-year spell with the Championship club.

Thornley hangs up his boots having made 232 appearances throughout his professional rugby league career for Wigan, Hull KR, Catalans Dragons, Leigh Leopards, Wakefield Trinity and Oldham. He also enjoyed a short spell in rugby union earlier in his career with Sale Sharks and Leeds Tykes.

“All good things must come to an end,” Thornley wrote on Instagram. “After 16 unforgettable years, I am retiring from professional rugby.

“From starting at Ashton Bears in my amateur years and going on to Wigan St Pats, it started that love of rugby league.

“Never would I have thought I would get to do it as a living and represent my hometown club Wigan Warriors, to whom I am very grateful for all the training and time they put into me as a young kid and then as a player.

“I have some incredible memories from my short stint in rugby union and my career in rugby league, and I gave everything when I wore the jersey.

“To all the clubs I represented, I thank you for allowing me to live my dream. To all the staff, coaches, players and fans, thank you for giving me so many memories and friendships I know will last a lifetime.

“Finally, thank you to my family, Lauren, James and Ellie. From being moved around the country, living in France and putting up with the lows of injuries, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

The Wigan-born centre enjoyed two spells with the Warriors during his career, helping Shaun Wane’s side win a Super League and Challenge Cup double in 2013, as well as being part of Matt Peet’s side that lifted the Challenge Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022.

Thornley was also part of the Wakefield side that won the 1895 Cup at Wembley Stadium in 2024.

The former Ashton Bears and Wigan St Patricks junior endured a tough spell on the injury front with his most recent club Oldham, making 10 appearances across the last two seasons, and will now head into the next chapter of his life after making the decision to retire from playing.