Canterbury have landed a sizeable catch in their bid to fix up their forward pack, luring Josh Curran on a multi-year deal from the Warriors.
The New Zealanders confirmed on Thursday morning that Curran would exit the club despite having a year to run on his contract.
Belmore will be his destination, with the Bulldogs making their case once the Warriors told Curran he would not be re-signed beyond 2024.
“We recently advised Josh that it was unlikely we would be able to re-sign him beyond next year,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
“We told him we were happy for him to see out his contract but if he did find an option that provided him with longer-term security to please come back and talk to us.
“We’re pleased for him that he has found a new club and he leaves with our best wishes.
“We really appreciate the contribution Josh has made in his five seasons with us.”
Curran arrived at the Warriors in mid-2019 from the Sydney Roosters, and has been one of their most consistent back-rowers for the past four seasons.
His signing could be key for Canterbury. While they have talent in the halves and outside backs, their forward pack has long been lacking.
The 24-year-old’s arrival comes as questions continue to swirl around the future of star winger Josh Addo-Carr.
The Bulldogs are adamant they are not about to release the representative flyer, but it’s understood other clubs have been sniffing around the 28-year-old.
Parramatta, Newcastle and Wests Tigers are among those believed to have shown an interest in landing the winger after rumblings of discontent in recent weeks.
Addo-Carr recently copped a two-game ban, served wholly in the Pacific Cup, for his role in a Koori Knockout brawl on grand final weekend.
The former Melbourne winger has provided some moments of spark in his two years at the Bulldogs, with 27 tries in 38 matches.
(Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
But he has been adversely affected by Canterbury’s lack of starch up front and stodgy momentum in the middle of the field.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould took to social media on Wednesday night, appearing to deny suggestions Addo-Carr is poised to exit the club.
“Sometimes I just sit here and laugh at the things people say and do,” Gould posted on X.
“I have no idea what motivates them … They are obviously too smart for me … They are operating on a whole different level.”
© AAP
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