Oldham seal stunning Nene deal

Oldham are delighted to announce the signing of Super League star Nene MacDonald on an initial three-match loan deal from Salford Red Devils.

The Papua New Guinea centre joins the Roughyeds with immediate effect and goes straight into the squad for Sunday's 1895 Cup quarter-final against Barrow Raiders at Boundary Park.

Macdonald's performances last season saw him named in the 2024 Super League Dream Team and his signing represents a major coup for Oldham rugby league.
His arrival at Oldham will make Macdonald one of the highest-profile players ever to play at Championship level.

"I've been sitting on the sidelines all year, watching and dying to play. This opportunity has come up and I want to grab it with both hands," Macdonald told Roughyeds TV.

I'm as hungry as it gets right now. I have been flying around at training so eager to play and I will give it my all. I am a competitor and I don't like losing any game.

I have been itching to play so I can't wait to get on the field. I know some boys already there who all talk highly of the place. I played with (assistant coach) Joe Wardle at Leigh and Gil Dudson has told me how good the crew is too.

It has been hard at Salford but we have stuck together. For me at the moment I can't play at all and I just want to play footy. It is a great opportunity for me.

Oldham have a similar style and flair to me and like to throw the ball around. Having the green light to go wherever I want on the field is exciting.

I will bring some flair, I am a competitor, I play to win and I will give this my all. I am here to rip in, I am not here to muck around - I will be going hard!"

Macdonald has been the subject of fierce Super League interest since Salford were placed under special measures amid ongoing uncertainty at the club.
Having starred in the NRL for Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons, the 30-year old also played for North Queensland and Cronulla before moving to the UK.

He enjoyed a stunning first season with Leigh in 2022, winning the 1895 Cup and gaining promotion to Super League before joining Leeds Rhinos the following season. His move to Salford in 2024 saw him end the year as Supporters' Player of the Season and earn a coveted place in the Super League Dream Team.

Macdonald joins Oldham for the games against Barrow, Featherstone and Widnes, with talks ongoing regarding his future thereafter.

Head coach Sean Long added:

"To get someone of Nene's quality to come and play rugby league for Oldham just shows that we are heading in the right direction. I'm indebted to chairman Bill Quinn and managing director Mike Ford for getting this deal over the line. This shows we are doing a lot right on and off the field to be able to attract players of Nene's calibre."

Fans eager to watch Nene Macdonald's debut in an Oldham shirt can grab tickets for just £12 for Sunday's AB Sundecks 1895 Cup quarter-final with Barrow Raiders at Boundary Park, as Oldham bid to move within one game of a first ever trip to Wembley.