CASTLEFORD offered to re-sign Zak Hardaker on a reduced contract and Toronto also made a play for him before he agreed to join Wigan, it emerged today.

The Warriors announced last Friday the signing of the former England full-back on a four-year contract, effective from November when he completes a 14-month ban for cocaine use.

The 2016 Man of Steel was dropped by the Tigers for October’s Super League Grand Final on confirmation of his positive drugs test and sacked straight away but, in an interview in the Wigan Observer, he reveals he offered to play again on the minimum wage.

Hardaker said: “Because I’d breached my contract it [the dismissal] was fair enough but I tried to stay there and I said: ‘Look, can you keep me on, pay me minimum wage, can you keep me on…’

“They did offer me a contract but it was a low one. My solicitors’ fees were through the roof and the contract didn’t match up to the fees.”

Hardaker added: “I believe things happen for a reason and now I’m looking forward to this move to Wigan.

“Toronto were the first to come in for me and the chance to play in Canada did appeal.

“But, as soon as Wigan came in, I jumped at it.”

Hardaker, who says he was a Wigan fan as a child, took a job in sales at a cleaning firm to earn money during his ban but is now determined to recapture his former glories.

“I want to win trophies,” he said. “I want to be in the England side. I want to be Man of Steel again, 100 per cent. I want the fairytale ending now.

“This has been the last bad chapter in the book. As soon as I lift a trophy, I want to think: ‘I know where I’ve been and where I am now.’ I want this to be a journey.”