Salford Red Devils' financial issues have led to the departure of captain Ryan Brierley ahead of their clash against Hull FC this weekend, with the captain issuing a lengthy statement.
Brierley, who has previously played for Hull KR, Leigh, Huddersfield and Toronto, now joins Championship side Oldham on a 2-and-a-half year deal.
He joined Salford - his childhood club - in 2021.
In a statement posted to his Instagram, he said:
"I find peace in the fact that the club will benefit [from the move], even if it just for the short term."
In a statement released by Oldham, Brierley said: "It has been awful at Salford, for families and friends it has been horrendous.
"I just say a massive thanks to Oldham for helping Salford out, for helping me out and doing things the right way.
"Being professional from the start - Oldham with Bill and Mike have done things the right way and that is important to me."
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The sale comes after it was revealed the club had no coach travel for their trip to the MKM stadium this weekend and no clean kit as they owe the laundrette money too.
I'm told Salford currently have no coach travel for the game this weekend as the club owes the transport company and they won't provide further service.
— Matthew Shaw (@M_Shaw1) August 7, 2025
They also don't have access to their kit because the laundrette is owed money and won’t give kit back until they're paid.
Brierley's sale - alongside that of prop Jack Ormondroyd - to Oldham is expected to raise the funds needed to allow the team to play, but concerns over what sort of team will be fielded have mounted with the departure of the captain.
Leeds Rhinos pair, Riley Lumb and Ben Littlewood, will join the team on a one-week loan.
This comes after the RFL granted special dispensation to the club to exceed loan allowances in order to field teams to finish out their 2025 season.
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