The player will join Hull FC next season.
St Helens have confirmed the end-of-season departure of Hull FC-bound forward Joe Batchelor. Hull Live exclusively reported the signing of the back rower back in March, with the current Saint set to swap the Red V for the Black and White next year.
Batchelor, the brother of Hull KR forward James Batchelor, is understood to have signed a multi-year deal with Hull. He was the first player they acquired for the 2026 season, with another Saints man, James Bell, also set to join the club next year.
Meanwhile, Batchelor has spent seven seasons with St Helens, having joined the Merseyside club ahead of the 2019 season from Championship outfit York Knights. Ironically, the back rower made his Saints debut against Hull that season.
The 30-year-old has gone on to become a key member of the Saints side. He was part of their Challenge Cup final win in 2021 and also featured in their 2021 and 2022 Super League title wins.
In total, Batchelor has made 111 appearances for St Helens, scoring 24 tries. On his departure, he said: “I’ve been immensely proud to be a part of the St Helens team and wider community; it has been one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my life so far. I will carry great memories of the town with me forever.
“Being part of the four Grand Final successes in a row, but that 2022 season especially, will always stick with me. And then to go over to Australia to become World Club Champions, knowing what had been sacrificed by everyone to get to that point – it’s one of the greatest achievements I’ll ever be a part of.
“I’ll be giving my all to finish in the best possible way and achieve something really special. The fans have been nothing but brilliant with me; we’ve had great times together and for that I would like to say a big thank you and wish everyone all the best.”
Outlining Batchelor’s qualities on and off the field, head coach Paul Wellens added: “Joe is a player and a person that I have the utmost respect for, and I can confidently say that his teammates share that same feeling.
“During his time here, Joe has contributed so much both on and off the field. So much so that a few written words cannot do it justice. He is the epitome of the term ‘team player’, and there’s no length that Joe wouldn’t go to if it meant he could help a teammate.
“He is a leader in every sense of the word, a man who carries himself with integrity and great humility, and I know I speak for everyone at the club when I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”