Former Broncos halfback Brodie Croft has reportedly knocked back offers to return to the NRL and will instead sign a $2 million contract with Leeds in the Super League.
That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting the current Salford playmaker will sign a three-year deal with the club’s rivals until the end of 2026.
Croft is set to become one of the Super League’s highest paid players, having won the 2022 Man of Steel award.
Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Starts THU 6 OCT 7:30PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
The Titans, Wests Tigers and Dragons has reportedly previously enquired about signing Croft who was a crucial player in Salford’s charge to the 2022 finals.
Croft was also reportedly set to sign a bumper nine-year deal to stay with the Red Devils until 2030 but instead was sold for a $300,000 transfer fee to ease financial pressure on the club.
The halfback departed the Broncos after the 2021 season, enduring a tough spell in Red Hill under Anthony Seibold.
However, he has since turned his career around in the Super League and will now be tasked with improving the Rhinos who finished in eighth in 2023.
RAIDERS’ ENGLISH RECRUIT
The Raiders are set to pick up another Englishman in Super League premiership-winner Morgan Smithies.
Yorkshire Live reports Smithies, a versatile forward that made his international debut this year, is closing in on a deal with Canberra for next season.
‘Wigan have found a way through!’ | 00:46
The 22-year-old played lock for Wigan in their Super League grand final win over Catalans last weekend. He finished with the highest tackle count (55) for the game after playing for the entire 80 minutes.
According to the report, the Raiders will pay Wigan a transfer fee for Smithies.
He will become the fourth player to join the Raiders from Wigan, following Ryan Sutton, John Bateman, George Williams and Harry Rushton.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have also reportedly re-signed halfback Jamal Fogarty on a deal that will keep him in the nation’s capital until the end of 2025.
MORE NRL NEWS
NOV 1: Every NRL club’s roster state of play as open market to trigger feeding frenzy
TEST TALKERS: Roo faces axe amid squeeze; Storm’s dilemma as star unearthed
TOO GOOD: Try blitz amid put-down of the year contender as PNG crush Cook Islands
BIG WIN: Kangaroos destroy Samoa in WC final rematch as debutants run riot
Bunker denies young star EPIC try | 01:07
Fogarty’s was contracted until the end 2024 which meant he was headed for the open market on November 1, but the 29-year-old has re-signed and has an option for 2026 which will be activated if the halfback plays a certain amount of games, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Fogarty’s signing gives Canberra a little more clarity about what their halves situation will look like over the next two years with Jack Wighton leaving to play for Souths.
Sea Eagles rising star Kaeo Weekes has reportedly signed with Canberra, although nothing has been announced. Weekes can play both five-eighth and fullback.
Teen sensation Ethan Strange, who made his NRL debut at centre for the Raiders this season, is another name who could potentially step into the five-eighth role in 2024.
With a lack of quality halves on the market, the Raiders are smart to lock down Fogarty, who possesses one of the better kicking games in the league.
Discussion about this post