NRL powerhouse forward and Samoan international Luciano Leilua is expected to become the latest player from down under to sign a Super League deal for 2027.
Leilua, 30, has played 177 games in the NRL and represented Samoa five times, including during the pacific island nation’s tour of England in 2024.
As such, he’s familiar with England but it’s reported that the Super League side he will join is Catalans Dragons with the French outfit making yet more moves in the transfer market despite John Cartwright not officially being tied down beyond the end of this season.
Per The Daily Telegraph in Australia, Leilua will become the latest St George Illawarra Dragons player to leave the club and make the switch to Super League with three previously confirmed in Emre Guler (Wakefield Trinity), as well as Damien Cook and Mat Feagai (both Castleford Tigers), with Tyrell Sloan also set to join Castleford.
Luciano Leilua set for Catalans Dragons switch
Leilua had been seeking an exit from St George and spoke with Brisbane Broncos about a possible mid-season move but that did not emerge and the forward has now agreed to a Super League switch.
He becomes the third NRL signing that Catalans have made for 2027 with Tyson Gamble and Jesse Arthars having both penned deals for next year, despite the Dragons not officially having a coach for next year.
John Cartwright is only contracted until the end of the year but the strong recruitment could well suggest that he is set to stay on at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
As well as his St George teammates, plenty of other NRL players will make the switch to Super League with the latest to be officially confirmed being Dylan Walker.
The Parramatta man has signed a three-year deal with Leeds Rhinos from 2027 onwards as the Headingley club look to replace some of their outgoing stars who are NRL-bound.
