David Fifita, the dominant player for the Maroons, has agreed to a long-term contract with the Sydney Roosters that will start in 2025.
Fifita’s contract included an option to continue on the Gold Coast for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, but the second-row striker informed the Titans he would not be exercising that option.
The 24-year-old will play the remainder of the current season on the Gold Coast before joining the Roosters the following season.
Fifita’s signing is a major coup for the Roosters, as forward leader Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be departing the team at the conclusion of the season to join Hull KR in the Super League.
When he announced the acquisition to the public on Saturday, Trent Robinson said, “He’s shown his quality over a number of seasons since he was a kid.”
“His ability to score a try on his own and the way he runs and carries the ball clearly have an impact on an opposition.
“The best footy is definitely ahead of him… there’s some really good years there for an NRL player.”
Fifita played 44 games for Brisbane after making his NRL debut with the Broncos in 2018. He later moved to the Titans in 2021, where he has made 69 appearances overall.
Fifita has participated in eight Origins for Queensland and four Tests for Tonga.
Robinson clarified that the team is still considering re-signing Angus Crichton, an unsigned forward, despite the addition of Fifita.
“With Angus, there’s still some water to cross across the bridge. He’s in the best shape he’s been in a long, long time, according to Robinson.
“The journey is not yet over. Though there have been some discussions, there haven’t been any negotiations.”
