The Castleford Tigers have moved to quell speculation surrounding Tyrell Sloan's impending move to the club following the sudden departure of head coach Ryan Carr.
Sloan is set to join the Tigers in 2027 on a two-year deal, with the agreement having been made while Carr was in charge of the Super League club.
However, Carr's unexpected exit has raised questions over whether Sloan will still make the move, given the close relationship between the pair.
Carr had previously been involved in Sloan's coaching at the St George Illawarra Dragons, with the outside back understood to have been looking forward to reconnecting with his former assistant coach in England.
Sloan had previously admitted he wanted to remain in the NRL but ultimately decided to make the move to Super League, with Carr's presence at Castleford understood to have been a factor.
“It's something I didn't want to do, but unfortunately that's how the footy world works and the decision was made a few months ago, and there's a bit in the background going on with Carry over there,” Sloan told the media earlier this month.
With Carr now gone, speculation has circulated over whether Sloan could reconsider his decision, with Dragons teammates Damien Cook and Mathew Feagai also signing with the Super League club next season.
However, Tigers owner Martin Jepson has now addressed the uncertainty, speaking about Sloan's situation at a fan forum this week.
According to fans who attended the forum, Jepson stressed that Castleford remain confident Sloan will make the move and revealed he had spoken to the 24-year-old alongside Director of Rugby League Chris Chester last week.
“MJ confirmed he spoke to him last week alongside Chris Chester, and that he spent most of the conversation making sure Sloan can bring his dogs over here, so shows his willingness and that he is planning to come,” the Tigers fans recalled from the forum.
“Although he is a realist. Tyrell Sloan is close to Ryan Carr; he mentored him in Australia, so obviously there are going to be some strong feelings there with Ryan no longer being involved at the club.
“(Jepson) Confirmed that if he wants to go and get another contract, he will have to speak to us first. MJ confirmed he has seen nothing to suggest that Sloan won't come over this off-season.”
Jepson also confirmed Castleford are in a strong position should Sloan seek an alternative option, with his registration for the Tigers already lodged with the Rugby Football League.
As a result, any club looking to secure Sloan's services for the 2027 season would first have to negotiate with Castleford and pay a transfer fee.
For now, the Tigers appear confident Sloan will remain committed to the move despite Carr's departure, with the club set to begin a formal search for a new head coach in the coming days.
The appointment of Carr's replacement will now be closely watched as Castleford look to finalise their squad and coaching structure ahead of the 2027 Super League season.
