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Jack Bird is going to Brisbane in 2018. After a lengthy contract saga that had him choosing between remaining at the Cronulla Sharks or moving to the Newcastle Knights, Bird has instead gone down the third path, signing a deal with the Broncos.
Bird’s deal with the Wayne Bennett-coached side is rumoured to be worth $2.1 million over three years.
The Cronulla Sharks confirmed that Bird would move to the Broncos in 2018 via a statement on their website, “Despite our Club making its highest ever financial offer to secure a current player”.
“On behalf of the Coaching staff and players I am terribly disappointed that Jack has decided to move on considering he made his NRL debut at our Club, was the NRL Rookie of the Year, made his debut for Origin and won a premiership all within the space of just over two years,” said coach Shane Flanagan.
“Since debuting for us in 2015, our Club has played a major role in developing Jack into a State of Origin level player which is a testament to the talent identification and player development systems we have in place. We look forward to steering many more of our talented young players along a similar journey in the years to come.
“While we wish Jack well in his future endeavours, he is a professional and we have no doubt he will continue to give his full focus to his Club and his teammates on and off the field and play a major role throughout 2017,” Flanagan added.
It was reported on Saturday that the Broncos had emerged as a late contender in the race for Bird’s signature, as they look for someone to pair with Anthony Milford following Ben Hunt’s decision to join the Dragons next year.
The offer from the Knights was reportedly in the range of $1 million a year, so he has turned down potentially greater financial reward for the incentive of being able to play at a more competitive club.
The 22-year-old was, of course, a part of the Cronulla side that won the Sharks’ first premiership last year, capping off an excellent season which saw him make his first State of Origin appearance for the Blues.