Dom Young was the breakout star for England at the World Cup and with his Newcastle Knights contract set to expire at the end of the 2023 season he had been one of the top targets in the NRL.
The winger had wanted to confirm his future before the start of the 2023 campaign, which begins in early March, something that had been confirmed by his agent, and has now come true with news that he’s signed with another club for 2024.
Trent Robinson, coach of the Sydney Roosters, had reportedly wined and dined Young last week but was one of a number of coaches to have done so with the former England man.
However it appears that Robinson’s meeting had the desired effect with the Daily Telegraph reporting that Young will sign with the Roosters for 2024 and beyond.
It’s believed that he had received huge offers ranging upwards of $500,000 a season, but ultimately it’s the Roosters who he has signed for.
He’ll join England teammate, Victor Radley, providing that the loose forward also extends his stay in Sydney given he is also out of contract for 2024 and beyond at present.
Losing Young is a huge blow for Newcastle Knights and potentially even a blow for the two young English stars who are set to join them in 2024, Will Pryce and Kai Pearce-Paul will no longer have a familiar English face to nurture their early NRL days.
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins were one of the sides who have missed out on Young, the former England boss another one of the reported NRL coaches who met with the former Huddersfield Giants star.
News Corp are reporting that Gold Coast were another side keen on Young but ultimately it was the Roosters who have secured him.
According to Fox League, he will be paid a huge $500,000 per season. Huge money for the young man.
Crucially, this was one of the key parts of the deal Robinson sealed for Young as was a potential move to the centres, the role Young played during his youth.
However, the big update comes from the Daily Telegraph who are reporting that the Roosters are trying to sign Young immediately.
They have reported that the Roosters are offering the Knights a forward in a potential swap.
Roosters CEO Joe Kelly has been coy on about the deal.
“I won’t go into that one I think there’s plenty been said already publicly, I’ll leave that one until an appropriate time,” Kelly said on SEN.
Now though, Newcastle Director Peter Parr has all but ruled out this possibility.
He said on The Newcastle Herald Podcast: “I’ve just about ruled it out, but haven’t completely ruled it out. You never say never, but it would have to be something that is beneficial to us, and if that eventuated it could be a silver lining.
“The flipside of that is that we have planned for Dom to be in our team, planned for him to be on the right wing and it’s very difficult for us to change those plans so close to the season starting.
“I wouldn’t say that we have ruled it out completely, but nor would I say that it will happen.”
Meanwhile, legendary commentator Andrew Voss said on SEN radio that in the Knights’ position he would “hang up and wouldn’t talk about it. P**s off and don’t even come to us with the gall to take our star winger.”
However, now the Roosters aren’t the only club interested in his services immediately with the Penrith Panthers also keen.
They wouldn’t be usurping the Roosters’ long term deal but are keen on taking him on for 2023 as a replacement for the injured Taylan May after the tackle from St Helens’ Agnatius Paasi.