Perth Bears have continued their signing spree this week, and have brought in two more players ahead of their inaugural season in the NRL in 2027.
Having announced that Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman and Catalans Dragons half-back Toby Sexton will both be joining the club in 12 months time, the Bears have now confirmed two more recruits for next year, and they have swooped to sign two further players will be featuring in the Northern Hemisphere in 2026.
The new London Broncos duo of Emarly Bitungane and Luke Smith will play for the club in the upcoming season, before moving back to Australia and move to Perth for 2027, as was reported when they initially signed for London.
Both signing two-year contracts, the pair made their NRL debuts in 2025, with Bitungane featuring twice for North Queensland Cowboys, as he became the first African-born player to take the field in NRL history. Smith turned out for Canterbury Bulldogs, and was a captain of the Dogs’ Premiership winning Jersey Flegg team in 2024.
The pair are 23 and 22 respectively, meaning they have a long career ahead of them, and the Bears will be hoping that they can become long-term members of the team, with stability something that is hugely important in the opening years as a new club.
Bitungane has 44 reserve grade appearances to his name, with 16 of those coming in 2025. Smith, meanwhile, has played 21 times, and crossed for six tries in the season just gone.
Head coach Mal Meninga was full of praise for his new recruits, as he commented on what they will bring to the team.
He said: “Luke and Emarly are exciting prospects who will play an important role for our club in 2027 and beyond.”
“Both players have progressed through the ranks in good systems and I’m excited to watch their development next season with the London Broncos.
“Emarly is a very strong and mobile middle forward who I think has the potential to develop into a very important piece in our roster.
“Luke is supremely fit and an excellent defender who offers us something in attack as well.
“He had an impressive junior career and I’m very excited to see what he can bring to the Bears in 2027.”
On signing with the Bears, Smith said: “It’s not every day you get the chance to create history, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play with Perth from 2027.
“My priority is to keep working hard with the London Broncos next season and come back stronger and hungrier for the Bears in 2027.”
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