After a spell on loan at Leigh Centurions, he went on to play for St Helens and Bradford Bulls before announcing his early retirement from the sport in 2012.

Hargreaves capped the 2004 season by being awarded the Under-21s Billie Joe Edwards and Craig Johnson Memorial Player of the Year trophy.

Hargreaves was selected to play for Lancashire in the 2004 Academy Origin Series and in the England Under 18s squad that toured Australia in 2004, but was requested to stay at home to aid Wigan's injury crisis.

At this time many clubs such as Leigh Centurions, Hull Kingston Rovers, Salford City Reds and Harlequins RL all expressed an interest in signing the promising young front rower.

In November 2006, St. Helens, the then Super League and Challenge Cup champions, signed the ex-Wigan prop Hargreaves on a two-year deal.

“He was possibly thrown in at the deep end at too young an age as a starting prop at Wigan Warriors, but we believe that he has genuine potential as a rotational squad member who can be patiently and methodically developed.” As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 National Rugby League Premiers the Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge.

[4] Following injuries to a number of Saints front-rowers in the 2008 season, Hargreaves established himself as a first-team regular alongside James Graham.

[9] After retiring from rugby league, he emigrated to the United States, initially living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before moving to West Virginia.