NFL linked superstar’s rugby league future confirmed with big deal

The Canterbury Bulldogs have today confirmed the news that Members and fans have been waiting for, announcing Matt Burton has agreed to a multi-year extension to remain at the club for the next five seasons.

This comes after constant speculation that their star player could leave the club sooner rather than later.

In fact, his agent revealed that even the NFL were interested in him hoping to see him becoming a kicker in American football.

Now though he has confirmed he will be staying at Canterbury ahead of the next stage of their rebuild.

Matt Burton was presented with his club debut jersey on the eve of the 2022 Bulldogs NRL Premiership opener against the North Queensland Cowboys and quickly became a shining light for the Bulldogs attack throughout the season.

The fan favourite played in every fixture for the club in 2022 and earned the Members Player of the Year Award at the Bulldogs presentation evening in September. Now, the Bulldogs’ five-eighth is set to kick on in the blue and white for the next five seasons.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this Club,” Burton said.

“We’ve got the new coach in now and I’m really excited to work with him again. He’s a great coach and I’m looking forward to taking my game to the next level with his guidance,” Burton said of Bulldogs Head Coach, Cameron Ciraldo.

“We’ve got new players in and from my teammates, all the staff, our members and fans, I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else. The club is on the up and I’m keen to be a part of this next chapter for the Bulldogs.”

Originally signed until the end of the 2023 season, the Bulldogs have confirmed that he has signed an extension that will now see him stay on in the blue and white through to the end of the 2027 season.

Arriving at the Club as a 20-year-old and premiership winner, Burton continued to prove himself as one of the best young talents in the NRL with stellar and consistent performances for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldog’s five-eighth was called upon to join the NSW Blues in the 2022 State of Origin Series – where he scored a try on debut – and was named to pull on the green and gold for the championship Australian Kangaroos side at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup alongside fellow teammate, Josh Addo-Carr.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Chairman John Khoury said that Burton had enjoyed an exceptional season and that retaining someone of Burton’s ability and potential in the squad was of paramount importance to the club.

“Matt has been a wonderful contributor to our club both on and off the field over the past season and we’re excited that he’ll continue to be a part of our organisation for the years ahead. As a club, we have been building towards a vision of success and stability, and the long-term signing of someone as talented as Matt reinforces the direction that we are headed in.

“He has a great relationship with Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo and we have only just seen the beginnings of his potential. We are extremely pleased to extend Matt’s contract, and this will see him working with Cameron and the Bulldogs for the next five years.”

Bulldogs Chief Executive Officer Aaron Warburton said it had been exciting to watch Matt’s game progress since joining the Bulldogs last season.

“Matt enjoyed an excellent season in 2022 and one that led to many personal accomplishments. He is a great ambassador for the Bulldogs and has fast become a fan favourite.

“Mick [Potter] and the coaching staff did a great job last season and with the addition of Cameron this season, we now have a new but familiar coaching staff that is working extremely hard with all our players in the pre-season. We believe that we have been taking huge strides forward as a Club and this multi-year agreement with Matt means that he will remain to be a big part of the Bulldog’s future.