David Fifita will depart Gold Coast for Sydney after telling the Titans he’ll depart the membership on the finish of the season.
Fifita met with Titans officers on Wednesday evening, earlier than opting to not activate the ultimate two years of his contract on the Gold Coast.
The Queensland State of Origin ahead needed to make a name by Thursday evening.
Titans coach Des Hasler mentioned the membership revered Fifita’s choice.
“David is a superb participant, he is been acquisition for the membership,” he mentioned.
“However he is determined his time has come to an finish and he will transfer to Sydney and pursue his footy profession and his footy pursuits down there.
“The membership sincerely needs him all the most effective.”
Hasler rejected the suggestion Fifita was “abandoning the ship” on the Titans.
“It’s a choice Dave has made. We transfer on and preserve taking part in,” he mentioned.
“It’s disappointing, however it’s all part of the sport and a part of the theatre.
“It’s a part of the soccer merry-go-round that footballers come and go on a regular basis.”
Fifita is but to tell both Penrith or the Sydney Roosters, who’re thought-about frontrunners to realize his signature, of his actual vacation spot for subsequent season.
Penrith is taken into account the favorite to land the 24-year-old, who would successfully grow to be a substitute for outgoing ahead James Fisher-Harris.
Considered the same type participant to Viliame Kikau, his potential addition to the Penrith pack would shift Scott Sorenson into the entrance row subsequent 12 months.
Penrith has offered Fifita on the thought of becoming a member of a premiership-ready workforce, with the Panthers having gained the final three competitions.
“It is received that potential to be like Kiks (Kikau). He is a giant physique, he strikes effectively, so there are undoubtedly similarities there,” Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards mentioned this week.
“He’d should have loads of coaching underneath his belt to rise up to hurry with our system and the best way we need to play footy.
“Our backrowers are high quality in the mean time too. However he is a category participant and may do issues within the sport that not many individuals may do.”
Fifita’s associate, Shaylee Bent, is from the Penrith area.
A potential take care of Penrith can be price about $850,000 for 3 seasons, permitting him to barter his subsequent deal when in his prime at age 27.
The Roosters are anticipated to supply Fifita the same deal, however on a four-year contract.
The hulking second-rower would provide the membership some X-factor, as they put together to farewell Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the finish of 2024.
In addition they have the benefit of with the ability to convey Gold Coast participant Bent to the ladies’s workforce, with the Gold Coast second-rower additionally off contract on the Titans this 12 months.
“You need high quality gamers, and he’s a high quality participant,” Roosters lock Victor Radley mentioned of Fifita.
“He is received the footwork, he is a powerhouse. Quick. You do not have many gamers that do all these issues.
“He is received the X-factor.”
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