Dean Parata to retire from Rugby League

Jake Watson • 7 October 2024

Dean Parata to retire from Rugby League


Following the conclusion of the season Dean Parata has announced that he will retire from Rugby League at the age of 33.


Dean spent three seasons with London Broncos joining from Featherstone Rovers in 2022 he was named the club’s vice captain.


In 2023 London Broncos would produce a spectacular run of form to be crowned Grand Slam winners in the Championship play-off final against Toulouuse. Dean would be named the Championship Player of The Year, winning it jointly with Halifax’s Lachlan Walmsley.


At the age of 32, Dean would make his Super League debut, being named in the starting line-up for Round 1 of the 2024 season away at St Helens.

Despite suffering an injury-hit season in 2024 the Italian international would go on to make 12 Super League appearances.


Speaking on his decision to hang up his boot, Dean told London Broncos media he is ready for the next chapter in his life;


“That’s a wrap on my footy career. I am extremely lucky to have been able to play for as long as I have and across so many different places. Not least London where I have made some life-long friends. 


“I have loved my time at the Broncos and am thankful for the past three years. I wish the club all the best for what lays ahead in the future!”


  • Slide title

    Parata scoring against York Knights at Plough Lane in 2022

    Button
  • Slide title

    Parata against Widnes Vikings at Plough Lane in 2022

    Button
  • Slide title

    With teammates Corey Norman and Jarred Bassett

    Button
  • Slide title

    Parata against Featherstone Rovers in the 2023 Championship play-offs

    Button
  • Slide title

    Championship Player of the Year in 2023 with joint winner Lachlan Walmsley

    Button
  • Slide title

    Clean sweep for the Broncos at the Championship end of season awards

    Button
  • Slide title

    Super League debut against St Helens 

    Button
  • Slide title

    Parata against Hull KR at Craven Park

    Button
  • Slide title

    On the attack against Leigh Leopards in 2024

    Button

Dean’s career;


Born in Sydney, Parata played for West Tigers & Parramatta Eels feeder teams in the New South Wales Cup before moving to England to play Rugby League in 2018.


Initially joining Barrow Raiders in the Championship, Dean would play there for just one season before moving to Toulouse Olympique.

In 2020 Dean would join Featherstone Rovers, however after COVID curtailed that season, he would return in 2021 and he would go on to play in the Championship Grand Final where he came up against his former side Toulouse. However, it would be Sylvain Houles side who would win promotion to Super League.


In 2022 Dean joined London Broncos and was named as vice-captain to Will Lovell.


Dean would go on to play for Italy at the delayed 2021 World Cup where he would play in all of the games and score in the victory over Scotland.

In 2023 London Broncos would win promotion from The Championship with Dean being named the joint Championship Player of The Year.


In Round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, at the age of 32, Dean would make his Super League debut at The Totally Wicked Stadium against St Helens.


by Jake Watson 31 July 2025
2 FOR 1 TICKET OFFER!! London Broncos are pleased to announce a fantastic ticket initiative for our upcoming home games with Oldham RLFC and Bradford Bulls. As we look to finish the season as strongly as possible we are encouraging our supporters to get down to The Cherry Red Records in their numbers to get behind the team. For all supporters who buy a ticket for our last home game against Bradford on September 6th between now and 18th August you will receive a FREE ticket for our home game against Oldham RLFC.
by Jake Watson 31 July 2025
Iliess Macani in the Legends Lounge! London Broncos are delighted to announce Iliess Macani will be our special guest for the upcoming home game against Toulouse Olympique on August 10th (1pm KO). The Tottenham born winger played 140 times for the club scoring 68 tries - ranking him 8th all time for the club.
by Jake Watson 28 July 2025
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records on Sunday for the first time since the game with Widnes Vikings on May 31st. Mike Eccles side now have four remaining home league games in Wimbledon and are calling on the support of our fantastic supporters to help us finish the season strongly. Hospitality tickets for the 'Legends Lounge' & 'Broncos Bar' can be purchased from the link below.
by Jake Watson 28 July 2025
HIGHLIGHTS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos London Broncos travelled up to Featherstone Rovers in a Championship fixture between two of the in-form sides in the division. To watch back full extended highlights of the game watch the video below or head to our YouTube channel to watch the full game back.
by Jake Watson 28 July 2025
EMILIA'S BIG DAY It's not long now until we welcome Emilia and DKMS to The Cherry Red Records Stadium for her big day! - London Broncos will host ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ to celebrate young cancer survivor whose life was saved by a stem cell donor. - Supporters can join the stem cell donor register with a simple mouth swab - This is part of a partnership with DKMS : inspired by lifelong rugby league fan whose baby son needed a stem cell transplant. ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ is a major peak in a partnership between Broncos and DKMS, which encourages rugby fans to become potential lifesavers by joining the stem cell donor register. Emilia Mackay, 7, was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder, and required weekly blood and platelet transfusions just to survive. Doctors said that she needed a stem cell transplant, but unfortunately, no one in her family was a match, so a global search began to find a stranger who could save her life. Emilia’s dad, James Mackay, says, “As a parent, my child being diagnosed with such a serious illness was my worst nightmare. When we knew that Emilia’s future would rely on someone from the stem cell donor register, it was terrifying.” Fortunately for Emilia, a stranger in Germany had signed up to the DKMS donor register and was identified as a match. They agreed to donate their stem cells, which were then flown to the UK before being quickly transferred to the hospital where Emilia was being cared for. Emilia is now in remission, and since her transplant at the end of 2023, she has been thriving. James says, “Emilia’s donor changed everything for us. It’s obviously very emotional; the kindness of a random stranger means that my daughter has been given another chance at life. We’re so happy that she is well enough to do the things she loves, and that we can attend rugby games as a family. We are so excited for the event with Broncos and DKMS -- we won’t just be celebrating Emilia, we’ll also be adding more people to the register so that more patients like her can get a second chance at life”.
by Jake Watson 27 July 2025
MATCH GALLERY: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos It was a frustrating afternoon as the Broncos were beaten by Featherstone Roves at the Millennium Stadium. Marcus Stock and Alex Walker had given the Broncos the lead at half-time but Rovers proved too strong in the second half running out eventual 36-18 winners. #WeAreLondon
by Jake Watson 27 July 2025
POST-MATCH REACTION: Eccles reacts to Featherstone defeat London Broncos head coach Mike Eccles bemoaned a lack of experience and getting some tough officiating calls as they went down 36-18 to Featherstone Rovers. The Broncos had led 12-4 at the break but the home side used the hill to their advantage in the second half and proved too strong. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon
by Jake Watson 27 July 2025
TEAM NEWS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon's Round 19 Championship fixture with Featherstone Rovers at the Millennium Stadium. There is just one change to the starting 13 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week as Aaron Small comes in for Louix Gorman. Dan Okoro is named as an interchange after joining from Warrington Wolves on loan. #WeAreLondon
by Jake Watson 26 July 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos We move into Round 19 of the Championship season on Sunday with another away trip as this week we head to Featherstone Rovers. This will be the third time the two sides have met this season after Broncos won the home league game before Rovers were to take the win in the 1895 Cup Quarter Final. Mike Eccles side will come into the game in good form having won 48-6 at the weekend against Sheffield and now three wins from the last four games. SQUAD INFO Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There are only two changes to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.
by Jake Watson 25 July 2025
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There is only two change to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.
More posts