Wynnum Manly Seagulls have announced a signing coup for the 2017 Intrust Super Cup season with former North Queensland Cowboys playmaker Travis Burns to join new coach Adam Brideson at the club next year.
Burns – a halfback or five-eighth with 127 games of NRL experience after playing stints with the Cowboys, Penrith and Manly – will join the Seagulls from the English Super League competition.
Burns has been in the UK since 2013, with playing stints at Hull KR, St Helens and Leigh Centurions, and will be part of a new-look Seagulls team in 2017 under the direction of new head coach Brideson.
“Travis is a renowned competitor who will give Wynnum Manly his all on every single play,” Brideson said.
“He expressed a desire to return to Queensland and win a competition before he retires, and pleasingly believes he can tick the last box in an excellent career by doing that with Wynnum Manly.
“Travis will obviously bring an enormous amount of experience and direction to the team.
“He will play hard, lead by his actions and is the type of bloke that everyone will want to play alongside.
“As a coach, I could not ask for much more out of a senior player.”
Wynnum Manly Seagulls Chief Executive Hanan Laban said signing a player of Burns’ ability and experience was a tremendous vote of confidence in the Seagulls as a club, and for the Intrust Super Cup competition as a whole.
“We are ecstatic to secure Travis for next year. To be able to sign a player of his calibre just shows the strides that the Intrust Super Cup has made in recent years and reaffirmed its status as the second best rugby league competition in the world,” Laban said.
“Travis is a player that our valuable members, sponsors, supporters and local community will be excited to see in a Seagulls jersey next season.”
Burns believes it is the right time to return home and was thankful for the support he received at St Helens.
“It is the right time to move back home and take up a new challenge,” he said.
“My wife and kids have followed me followed me around Australia and the UK for several years and now it’s time to put them first.
“I’d like to thank the Saints fans for their fantastic support – alongside Mike Rush and Eamonn McManus who have supported me and my family.
“Nothing was too much trouble for them and for that I am most appreciative.”
St Helens Chief Executive Mike Rush wished Burns all the best for his future.
“We’d like to wish Travis all the best for the rest of 2016 with the Centurions and with the Seagulls in 2017.
“He was a dedicated professional whose experience proved vital to the younger members in our squad.”
