Revealed: The transfer fee Super League club received for star player

Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors may have done business for 2024, but plenty of clubs like Warrington Wolves, Hull KR, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity have been frantically completing business for the here and now.

Super League clubs have shown urgency in recent days and weeks to get transfers over the line this is because the deadline for 2023 signings is next Friday on August 4th.

Any business conducted after this point is for the 2024 season hence the swift action taken by a number of clubs lately.

Even the Super League and World Champions St Helens have found themselves wrapped up in all of this.

However, their hand was forced by a star player wanting to take on an opportunity in the NRL and that transfer has now been confirmed.

Joey Lussick has agreed to join the Parramatta Eels for the remainder of the 2023 NRL season until the end of the 2025 season.

The hooker will return to the Club after leaving at the end of 2021 to join St Helens in the English Super League.

General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said, “Joey will add quality and depth to our roster. He knows our systems and coaching style and will fit in right where he left off.”

Joey has played 120 games in the NRL and Super League and will join the Eels at training this week.

Lussick’s release was confirmed on Saturday night by Paul Wellens after Saints were beaten in the Challenge Cup semi-final by the Leigh Leopards.

The club confirmed that there was an undisclosed fee paid for Lussick and that has now been revealed to be $50,000 by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Saints only agreed to this release because they had found a replacement in the shape of St George Illawarra Dragons star Moses Mbye.

Mbye makes the move to join St Helens immediately and will link up with his new teammates in the coming days, adding a wealth of experience to Paul Wellens’ side having played 194 NRL matches, scoring 28 tries, kicking 141 goals, and featuring for Queensland three times in the State of Origin series.

The 29-year-old Australian is incredibly versatile playing across the spine at hooker, half-back, or full-back, further bolstering this Saints team that is full of international talent, on a deal running until the end of the 2025 Super League season.

Speaking about signing for the Saints, Mbye told saintsrlfc.com:

“I’m wrapped! It’s something that I’m so grateful for, to be part of a club with such success and such rich history. I’m keen to come over and learn from the current squad and off Wello (Paul Wellens) and be part of a club with such a great culture.

“My versatility is an asset I’ve got to develop over a number of years now, with my conversations with Paul that’s what I’m here to do, to be part of the squad and fulfil any role that is needed to be filled – but I want to earn my spot too. It’s a good opportunity to come over, add some healthy competition to what is already a really successful squad, and earn my spot.”

“I know the expectations at St Helens are high which is great because we’re expected to succeed because of how well the team has gone in the past and in recent years. It’s come from the hard work they have put in and I’m looking forward to being part of it. I can’t wait to get over there, meet the boys and the fans and get amongst it!”