Dylan Brown is on the cusp of leaving Parramatta to affix Newcastle on what is about to be the richest deal in NRL historical past.
Following reviews he had inked a reported $14 million, 10-year deal to affix the Knights from 2026, the five-eighth took to social media to verify he would depart the Eels at season’s finish.
The deal just isn’t but official, however would eclipse a 10-year, $12 million contract signed by Gold Coast ahead Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in 2023.
Brown’s exit shapes as a devastating blow to the rebuilding Eels, who suffered a heavy 56-18 loss to Melbourne within the first sport of Jason Ryles’ teaching tenure on Sunday.
“Howdy everybody, I’ve determined to take a possibility that’s greatest for me and my household,” Brown wrote on Instagram.
“To the Blue and Gold household … nothing modifications. I’m locked in for this yr and now we have a job to do. Love.”
The Knights and an unidentified Sydney membership have been jostling for Brown’s providers however AAP has been instructed Newcastle are assured of a deal being completed.
As soon as a proposal is accepted by Brown and supervisor Chris Orr, NRL guidelines state the Eels have a 10-day cooling-off interval to persuade the 24-year-old to remain put.
However barring a change of coronary heart, Brown will be part of forces with star fullback Kalyn Ponga in a supercharged Knights backbone from 2026.
The Eels declined to remark when contacted by AAP on Monday evening.
Newcastle have lengthy struggled for consistency of their halves, notably failing to choose a mixture even on the run to finals in 2024.
In New Zealand worldwide Brown they might have a gifted ball-runner who may present additional playmaking spark subsequent to Ponga, the membership’s main inventive outlet in recent times.
(Picture by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Photos)
The Eels will now be compelled again to the drafting board solely weeks into the Ryles period.
Lower than two weeks in the past, the membership flagged plans to proceed constructing round their current halves pairing by re-signing halfback Mitch Moses to a long-term deal.
Moses himself had voiced his hopes that Brown would select to stay at Parramatta.
The five-eighth had re-signed in 2022 on a contract with clauses permitting him to remain till 2031 if he wished.
However 2025 was the final assured yr of that deal and Brown had been in a position to negotiate with rival golf equipment since final November.
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The Eels are actually set to show their consideration to their very own future, however there’s a scarcity of elite halves coming off contract on the finish of this season.
Sean O’Sullivan, Brad Schneider, Adam Doueihi and Will Pryce are strong playmakers obtainable, however none of these males are first-choice halves at their present golf equipment.
Different choices together with Daly Cherry-Evans, Adam Reynolds and Chad Townsend, are deep into their 30s and will not be assured to play on into 2026.
