Star Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton will be part of South Sydney in 2024 after shunning profitable provides from the Dolphins and Raiders within the pursuit of premiership success.
Key factors:
- Wighton has performed 225 video games for the Canberra Raiders over 12 seasons since signing with the membership as a teen
- He has shut friendships with Rabbitohs gamers Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and membership captain Cam Murray
- Wighton retired from consultant soccer earlier this month
Wighton is ready so as to add firepower to the Rabbitohs’ deadly left edge by starting his four-year contract at centre, the place he most ceaselessly performed in his 10-game State of Origin profession.
Wighton may return to the halves as soon as Cody Walker retires. The Souths five-eighth is contracted till the top of the 2025 season, by which period he might be 35.
Wighton’s future had been the topic of intense curiosity since late final month when the 2020 Dally M Medallist informed the Raiders he would take a look at the open marketplace for the primary time since signing as a teen.
The 30-year-old had grow to be synonymous with the Raiders throughout a first-grade profession spanning 12 seasons and 225 video games and, given his shut relationship with coach Ricky Stuart, the mooted swap is a supply of shock.
The Dolphins and Rabbitohs emerged because the frontrunners to poach Wighton, regardless of earlier hyperlinks to the Wests Tigers and Parramatta.
The Redcliffe-based membership didn’t safe a marquee backbone participant for his or her inaugural season so had the wherewithal to pay him a seven-figure wage.
The Rabbitohs, preliminary finalists in every of the final 5 seasons, appeared the very best probability of the three suitors to supply Wighton a maiden premiership ring.
Wighton additionally has shut friendships with fellow Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, in addition to their South Sydney captain Cam Murray.
Wighton’s imminent arrival is a serious coup for the Rabbitohs. He is ready to play in any backline place, guided the Raiders to the 2019 grand closing and boasts each a Dally M and Clive Churchill Medal.
He was additionally a constant performer at State of Origin and worldwide ranges earlier than asserting his consultant retirement earlier this month.
The transfer additionally places Canberra available in the market for a five-eighth for 2024.
Luke Brooks, Shaun Johnson and Kyle Flanagan are among the many halves popping out of contract, whereas backup Raiders playmakers Brad Schneider and Matt Frawley are additionally with out offers for subsequent season.
AAP
