The Sydney Roosters have again won one of the season’s signings by negotiating the return of Newcastle utility company Connor Watson at a discounted price.
Watson, 25, has agreed to a deal worth around $ 450,000 less than he could have accepted had he chosen to stay with the Knights.
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The Roosters signed Watson on a two-year deal worth around $ 300,000 per season, while the Knights had offered a three-year deal worth around $ 350,000 per year.
The deal was closed on the Sunshine Coast – where the Roosters and Newcastle are staying at the Novotel Twin Waters in the same hotel – when Watson reached out to Roosters coach Trent Robinson to return to the Tricolours.
Connor Watson celebrates a try in his first roosters stintSource: Getty Images
Originally, the Roosters only wanted to offer Watson a 12-month contract, but after further discussions secured the versatile benefits through a two-year contract.
Watson cut ties with his agent and negotiated the deal himself.
The deal was finalized by Sydney Rooster’s Head of Recruiting, Daniel Anderson, in collaboration with Robinson and Watson.
Three-time prime ministerial coach Robinson told Watson he believed he could develop him into one of the best utility players in the NRL until he could push for a position in the NSW State of Origin.
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The Roosters plan to name Watson No. 14 with utility that can cover a variety of positions, including the lock, hooks, the halves, and the centers in a pinch.
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The Roosters now offer tremendous depth for the next season with Luke Keary, Sam Walker and Drew Hutchison in the halves, Sam Verrills as the hooker, Victor Radley as the Lock, and Watson as the utility that can cover all of these positions.
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Watson made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters in 2016 and spent two seasons with the Chooks before moving to Newcastle, where he stayed for the last four seasons.
Watson has played 100 NRL matches – 38 for the Roosters and 62 for the Knights – and has shown his versatility this year by playing lock, five-eighth, hooker, center and fullback at various stages.
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