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!”


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    Parata scoring against York Knights at Plough Lane in 2022

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    Parata against Widnes Vikings at Plough Lane in 2022

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    With teammates Corey Norman and Jarred Bassett

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    Parata against Featherstone Rovers in the 2023 Championship play-offs

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

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

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    Super League debut against St Helens 

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    Parata against Hull KR at Craven Park

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    On the attack against Leigh Leopards in 2024

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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.

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