Mike Cooper set for abrupt Warrington Wolves exit with Wigan Warriors move pushed forward

Mike Cooper is set to join Wigan Warriors with immediate effect with his time at boyhood club Warrington Wolves cut short. The England prop had already agreed to sign for Wigan in 2023 but the deal is now set to be brought forward.

Cooper was mysteriously dropped for Warrington's defeat to Castleford Tigers on Saturday and now an agreement has been reached for the 33-year-old to move to the DW Stadium earlier than first planned.

Sources at the Halliwell Jones Stadium have confirmed Cooper's imminent exit but have remained tight-lipped on the reasons behind his early departure. It's a timely boost for the Warriors, who will be without Brad Singleton for the next two games as he continues to serve a suspension picked up for the red card received at Magic Weekend.

Cooper first joined Warrington in the under 11s and has made almost 250 appearances for the club since his debut over two spells. He spent three years in the NRL with St George Illawarra Dragons before returning in 2017.

Now, his time at his hometown club is over and a new journey with Wigan will begin. He's one component in a major squad overhaul being overseen by Daryl Powell after a bitterly disappointing first year at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

When asked about Cooper's absence ahead of the defeat to the Tigers, Powell said: “Mike Cooper is fine. I just decided to give a young player an opportunity in the squad." Cooper played for England in the mid-season clash with the Combined Nations All Stars and has been one of Warrington's most consistent performers, though there has been prolonged talk that he and Powell haven't seen eye-to-eye this season.

Wigan have plenty of salary cap space following the mid-season departure of Zak Hardaker and have used the