Salford Red Devils captain Ryan Brierley and prop Jack Ormondroyd both leave the club and join Championship side Oldham for undisclosed fees.
The pair are the latest players to leave the Super League strugglers, who have been mired in financial difficulties all year and are subject of a winding-up petition.
Salford Red Devils confirmed the departures on Thursday 7 August, coming after the exits of three-quarter Chris Hankinson and veteran forward Chris Hill to Leeds and Bradford respectively earlier this week.
Full-back Brierley and Ormondroyd, both 33, have signed two-and-a-half year contracts with the ambitious Roughyeds.
Brierley, whose previous clubs include Leigh, Huddersfield and Toronto, told Red Devils fans: “I’ve lived my childhood dream by representing Salford Red Devils. It’s all I ever wanted: to wear the badge, play for this city, and give everything I had for this club.
“Furthermore, to have been given the honour of captaining Salford is something I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life. No one can ever take that away from me.
“This season has been incredibly tough, mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s been the most difficult period of my career, and I’ve done everything I can to keep going, to stay strong, to keep believing in better days ahead.”
Ryan Brierley continued: “Despite everything, I stayed in the hope that things would turn a corner. I stayed out of loyalty, out of love for the club, and out of belief in what we could still build.
“Making the decision to leave has broken my heart, but I know it’s the right one for the club and myself at this moment in time. I find peace in the fact that the club will benefit, even if it is just for the short term.”
He continued to thank members of the club who have been supportive during this tough time for the club, as he added.
“I want to say a massive thank you to Paul King, Paul Rowley and his staff, the backroom team, office staff and especially my teammates, who’ve been my brothers through some of the darkest times this year.
“And finally, to the fans. You are everything. You’ve made me feel like one of your own from day one. You’ve supported me and my family through the highs and the lows, and I hope you feel I gave you all I had in return.
“Your belief in me has meant more than words can ever express. You’ve given me everything I ever dreamed of.
“This is goodbye for now. I leave with a heavy heart, full of love and gratitude, but I’ll always carry Salford with me. I’ll be praying this club gets back to where it belongs.
“Thank you for letting me live the dream. Forever, Salford.”
Salford sit bottom of Super League with just two wins from 20 games.
Featured image taken via YouTube screenshot, and a few lines were contributed by Andy Hampson, PA
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