5 hours Ago By James Gardiner
THE Newcastle Knights finally have their man. Login or signup to continue reading In-demand playmaker Dylan Brown has informed current club Parramatta that he will take up a 10-year deal to join the Knights from 2026. The Knights have been chasing a star half to take the pressure off captain Kalyn Ponga.
The deal to move north is believed to be worth $1.4 million a season. Brown confirmed his departure at the season's end on Monday, posting on Instagram: "Hello everyone, I have decided to take an opportunity that is best for me and my family.
"To the Blue and Gold family ...
nothing changes. I'm locked in for this year and we have a job to do. Love.
" Brown was on about $1.1 million a season at Parramatta. However, he had a clause in his contract, which had to be triggered by round 10, allowing the 24 year-old to leave the club.
Brown's management recently went to market to test the interest in the New Zealand international, with several clubs making a play for his services. The $14 million deal with the Knights is believed to be richest in the NRL's 117-year history - bettering the $12 million contract Tino Fa'asuamaleaui signed with the Titans two years ago. The Knights declined to comment on Monday night.
Chief executive Phil Gardner told the Newcastle Herald last week that the club had made a long-term offer for the playmaker. "He's currently on a six-year contract. He's not going to come for less than that, that's for sure," Gardner said.
"My belief is that we're an outsider in this; the connection to Parramatta, and they've treated him very well and his family association there. "But we've certainly given him a lot of reasons to want to come to us. "And if he comes here, he gets to play with 'KP' [Kalyn Ponga], he gets to play with Fletcher Sharpe.
He comes to an area where he hasn't got to be second-fiddle." Only an eleventh-hour change of heart will stop Brown leaving, with the Eels pivot having a 10-day cooling off period to renege on a move to Newcastle. Brown's decision comes just 24 hours after the Eels endured a horror start to the season, thrashed 56-18 by Melbourne.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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