Hull FC are looking to sign Lachlan Lam for the 2025 season. In what would be a sensational capture, the Black and Whites are prepared to splash the clash to land the half-back, who would become a marquee player should he elect for a move to East Yorkshire.
However, the reality of Hull signing Lam is still a long way away. There is his current contract at Leigh Leopards to consider, with his management activating a termination clause that would get him out of the second season of a two-year deal. There is also external competition, with Hull FC set to compete in a signing frenzy with other Super League clubs to gain the half-backs signature.
Here, Hull Live takes a look at Lam the player, Hull’s interest, the clause, and the external competition.
Lam the player
There’s no denying Lachlan Lam’s talent. The 26-year-old was a driving factor in Leigh’s Challenge Cup and Super League success last season. He landed the winning drop-goal at Wembley in the final, and also played a leading role as a Dream Team half-back, with the Leythers making the play-offs in their first season back in the topflight.
Lam has plenty of skills in his locker, from his ability on the ball to his pace, running game, and pass selection. He is very good on the shift play, linking up with John Asiata, who has signed a three-year deal at Hull next year. He’s also a good support player and brings plenty of energy to the table.
He is an international for Papua New Guinea, but he is also not eligible for quota play because he played some junior rugby in the Wigan district when his father, Adrian Lam, was a Wigan Warriors player. This is undoubtedly a compelling point, but it also gives Hull two quota spaces that they may utilise elsewhere.
Hull’s interest
Hull’s interest in Lam is genuine. The ambitious Black and Whites are keen to make him a marquee player, which speaks volumes about how serious they are about acquiring him. They have been keeping tabs on Lam’s situation for a while and are confident he could slot into a new system under incoming head coach John Cartwright next year.
The contract clause
In simple terms, Lachlan Lam had a termination release clause submitted into his Leigh Leopards contract when signing a new two-year deal last season. That clause was activated before the end of June and allows him to talk to any club, not just from the NRL, and sign for the 2025 season.
Lam’s representative believe the clause is legitimate, with the player now free to leave the club at the end of the year. However, Leigh do not, with the indication from the club that it is not a legitimate RFL clause. That dispute is set to settled elsewhere, with the RFL not stepping on either side.
When approached for a comment by Rugby League Live, they said: “Lachlan Lam is still registered as a Leigh player. It would be inappropriate to comment further on any discussions between player and club.” The full details of the clause, broken by Rugby League Live on Wednesday, can be found here.
The recruitment reality
Hull is confident that the offer will help them, but it isn’t the end-all be-all. As demonstrated by Tristan Sailor, who is expected to favour St Helens over Hull, Hull has to take into account reality. Hull is currently in 11th place in the Super League table, having finished 10th, 9th, and 8th over the last three seasons. This doesn’t help their cause, and their location at the eastern end of the M62 isn’t helping either. Sailor is believed to take these two factors into account when making his decisions persuade Lam to come along. With Asiata, a formidable capture himself, at the club along with Ed Chamberlain, Oliver Holmes, and Zak Hardaker, he would already feel somewhat familiar. Lam is well-aware of these players, and the Black and Whites are optimistic that they can persuade him to buy into their vision. The player, who is still in his prime, will fit in well with the new lineup at MKM Stadium the next season.
