Catalans Dragons have made the surprise move to extend the contract of NRL signing Lewis Dodd before he has even played a Super League game for them.
Initially signing a one-year deal with the French outfit, the former St Helens and South Sydney Rabbitohs playmaker has now signed a one-year extension, tying him to the club until the end of the 2027 season.
It is perhaps a move that comes as a result of fellow NRL signing Toby Sexton, who had signed a two-year deal, already agreeing an NRL move for 2027 by signing with Perth Bears.
Securing Dodd to an extended deal means Catalans have one half of their 2027 half-back pairing secure, whilst also ensuring that no rival clubs can swoop in for the off-contract Englishman.
Dodd has returned to Super League following a one-year stint in the NRL that will ultimately go down as a failure with the 2023 World Club Challenge winner simply not afforded enough game time in his preferred position.
Catalans Dragons extend Lewis Dodd contract after Super League return
Whilst his switch back to Super League didn’t come as a huge surprise, the destination being Catalans perhaps did, though head coach Joel Tomkins has said that the 23-year-old has settled in nicely during pre-season in Perpignan.
Tomkins said: “I am delighted to extend Lewis for an extra year. He has settled in really well in France and is already a very well-liked member of the squad. This signing gives us some consistency in an important position for the next couple of seasons.”
Interestingly, Catalans are one of the few Super League clubs to have no player contracted beyond the 2027 season with a whopping 14 players, including Lewis Dodd, off-contract at the end of next season.
However, by re-signing Dodd to a new deal, it means they have one less player off-contract at the end of this year, though that total still remains at six, with Sexton a seventh who is already confirmed to leave.
Speaking on his new contract, Dodd said: “I’m really happy to have signed a contract extension with the club. I’m excited to keep building with this group, and really looking forward to the season ahead.”
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𝑳𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒔 𝑫𝒐𝒅𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆 ✍️
Le club est heureux d’annoncer la prolongation de contrat du demi d’ouverture anglais.🇫🇷 https://t.co/fK8RRXOdht
🇬🇧 https://t.co/qk1aPpNXf5 pic.twitter.com/xstxF4fbzb— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) January 20, 2026
