Samy Kibula

Samy Kibula (born 7 August 1999) is a Congolese professional rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

He has previously played for the Wigan Warriors and the Warrington Wolves in the Super League, and for the Bradford Bulls and the Batley Bulldogs in the RFL Championship. He has spent time on loan at the Swinton Lions and the Dewsbury Rams in the Championship, and at the London Skolars and Oldham in League 1.

Background
Kibula was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo to a Congolese father and South African mother. Aged 2, his family moved to the United Kingdom, settling in Wigan and later Tyldesley.

Growing up, Kibula played junior rugby union for Leigh RUFC and Sale Sharks and rugby league for Leigh Miners Rangers. He joined the Wigan Warriors youth system, winning two Academy Grand Finals in 2017 and 2018.

Wigan Warriors
On 12 July 2018, Kibula made his Super League début for the Wigan Warriors against the Huddersfield Giants.

Swinton Lions (loan)
Kibula joined the Swinton Lions in the RFL Championship on loan at the start of the 2018 season. On 18 February, he made his professional debut for Swinton against the Batley Bulldogs.

In June 2019, Swinton announced the return of Kibula on a month-long loan deal, which was later extended until the end of the season. He made 11 appearances in his second stint at the club, scoring tries against Bradford and Widnes.

London Skolars (DR)
Kibula made two appearances for the London Skolars in League 1 during the 2018 season, through their dual registration agreement with Wigan. On 23 June, he scored two tries against the North Wales Crusaders.

Dewsbury Rams (loan)
Kibula joined the Dewsbury Rams in the Championship on loan at the start of the 2019 season. He was sent off, but avoided suspension, for a "minor" altercation after conceding a try to Swinton. He made 12 appearances, scoring tries against Featherstone and Thatto Heath, before departing in June.

Warrington Wolves
In September 2019, the Warrington Wolves announced the signing of Kibula on a one-year deal ahead of the 2020 season. His younger brother Ambrose was already on the club's scholarship system. He made his Warrington debut on 30 August against Wakefield Trinity.

Newcastle Thunder (loan)
On 20 December 2020, it was announced that Kibula would join the Newcastle Thunder in the Championship on a season-long loan. However, in March, he suffered a ruptured Achilles in training, forcing him to miss the entirety of the season.

Bradford Bulls
On 4 October 2021, the Bradford Bulls announced the signing of Kibula on a one-year deal for the 2022 Championship season. In his sole season at the club, he made 14 appearances and scored tries against Dewsbury and Halifax.

Dewsbury Rams (loan)
In May 2022, Kibula joined the Dewsbury on a two-week loan deal for his second spell with the Rams. He made two appearances and scored a try against Featherstone.

Batley Bulldogs
On 18 November 2022, it was announced that Kibula had signed for the Batley Bulldogs for the 2023 season. He featured in Batley's 1895 Cup final defeat against the Halifax Panthers at Wembley. He made a total of 19 appearances, his highest tally yet in a first-grade season, and scored three tries against Keighley, Halifax and Barrow. Head coach Craig Lingard later said, "last season he really developed at Batley and turned out to be a standout player there."

Oldham (loan)
In May 2023, Kibula joined League 1 side Oldham on a one-month loan deal. He made four appearances for the Roughyeds and scored one try.

Castleford Tigers
On 19 October 2023, the Castleford Tigers announced the signing of Kibula. He would join on a one-year deal for 2024, with an option for a further year. This move would see him return to a full-time environment and follow former coach Craig Lingard, who had been appointed the new head coach at Castleford.

Kibula made his Castleford debut on 25 February against the Salford Red Devils in round 2 of the 2024 season.

Batley Bulldogs (DR)
Kibula featured for his former club Batley in the 2024 Championship through their dual registration partnership with Castleford.