It was a slow start, but signings are now coming in thick and fast for the Perth Bears ahead of their NRL entry in 2027.<\/p>\n
The newest expansion side faces the daunting task of filling a top-30 roster to compete with the big guns in their inaugural season, but the squad is beginning to take shape as players commit to the move out west.<\/p>\n
We have you covered with all the Bears\u2019 official signings, their best line-up so far, plus all the latest transfer speculation and rumours.<\/p>\n
NRL SIGNINGS TRACKER: ALL THE LATEST PLAYER MOVEMENT, CONTRACT EXTENSIONS<\/a><\/p>\n CURRENT BEST 17<\/p>\n 1. No player signed<\/p>\n 2. Sean Russell (Parramatta Eels)<\/p>\n 3. Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)<\/p>\n 4. No player signed<\/p>\n 5. No player signed<\/p>\n 6. No player signed<\/p>\n 7. Toby Sexton (Catalans Dragons)<\/p>\n 8. Liam Henry (Penrith Panthers)<\/p>\n 9. No player signed.<\/p>\n 10. Iszac Fa\u2019asuamaleaui (Catalans Dragons)<\/p>\n 11. Luke Smith (London Broncos)<\/p>\n 12. Josh Curran (Canterbury Bulldogs)<\/p>\n 13. No player signed<\/p>\n 14. Emarly Bitungane (London Broncos)<\/p>\n 15. No player signed<\/p>\n 16. No player signed<\/p>\n 17. No player signed<\/p>\n CONFIRMED SIGNINGS<\/p>\n JOSH CURRAN<\/a><\/p>\n The Bulldogs forward became the Bears\u2019 first signing of 2026<\/a>, signing a three-year deal that will take him away from the Bulldogs at the end of the season.<\/p>\n SEAN RUSSELL<\/a><\/p>\n The Bears announced the signing of Eels winger Sean Russell <\/a>on Christmas Eve, taking the 23-year-old away from his junior club on a four-year deal.<\/p>\n LIAM HENRY<\/a><\/p>\n The first elite NRL forward <\/a>to join the new franchise, premiership-winner Liam Henry signed a four-year deal with the Bears from Penrith in December.<\/p>\n ISZAC FA\u2019ASUAMALEAUI <\/a><\/p>\n In a move that could be huge in the Bears\u2019 pursuit of Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui, the Perth club signed his younger brother Iszac on a two-year deal from Catalans in France.<\/p>\n EMARLY BITUGANE<\/a><\/p>\n Tanzania-born Bitugane will join the Bears from the London Broncos on a two-year deal. The prop forward made two appearances for the Cowboys in 2025.<\/p>\n LUKE SMITH<\/a><\/p>\n Also joining from the London Broncos is Smith, the 23-year-old second-rower who made two NRL appearances for the Bulldogs before heading abroad for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n TOBY SEXTON<\/a><\/p>\n Arguably the Bears\u2019 most important signing to date, Sexton will return to the NRL<\/a> after a year with Catalans in 2026, signing a two-year deal which will likely see him in the No.7 jersey.<\/p>\n HARRY NEWMAN<\/p>\n The Bears\u2019 first major signing<\/a> was Newman from Leeds in the Super League. The centre is an English international who was awarded the Super League Young Player of the Year award in 2020.<\/p>\n DREAM SIGNINGS<\/p>\n TINO FA\u2019ASUAMALEAUI<\/a><\/p>\n The signing of brother Iszac will make the Bears believe this move is possible, and what a move it would be. Mal Meninga has already contracted Fa\u2019asuamaleaui\u2019s management<\/a> to outline his interest in making the Titans star the marquee signing of the new franchise.<\/p>\n MATT BURTON<\/a><\/p>\n With Lachlan Galvin and Mitchell Woods tipped to be the future of the Bulldogs\u2019 halves<\/a>, Burton has been rumoured to be linked with the Bears. His versatility to play in the halves or centres would be invaluable in their opening season.<\/p>\n ZAC LOMAX<\/a><\/p>\n Let him sign a contract <\/a>at your own peril, but there\u2019s no questioning the talent Zac Lomax brings to a team, not to mention goalkicking ability. His future remains unclear after his exit from Parramatta.<\/a><\/p>\n GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI<\/a><\/p>\n The breakout star of 2025, Shibasaki is off-contract at the end of the season<\/a>, and with salary-cap pressures high at Red Hill, he could head for the exit to pursue a deserved contract upgrade.<\/p>\n JESSE ARTHARS<\/a><\/p>\n Another Bronco who could be on the outer, Arthars isn\u2019t guaranteed a starting wing spot in 2026 so could be on the hunt for a new home when he comes off-contract after this season.<\/a><\/p>\n TYRAN WISHART<\/a><\/p>\n A tremendous utility player for Melbourne, Wishart has already toured Perth facilities <\/a>as he weighs up a move west. Off-contract at the end of the season, a Sexton-Wishart halves combo could easily compete with the big guns of the NRL.<\/p>\n MISSED TARGETS<\/p>\n CAMERON MUNSTER<\/a><\/p>\n Ended speculation of a move to Perth<\/a> by declaring his desire to remain in Melbourne beyond his current deal.<\/p>\n HERBIE FARNWORTH<\/a><\/p>\n The star English centre inked a one-year extension with the Dolphins to stave off a Perth poaching threat.<\/a><\/p>\n JAYDEN CAMPBELL<\/a><\/p>\n The Bears threw a $6m offer the way of Jayden Campbell, but that wasn\u2019t enough to lure the star away from the Gold Coast, committing a new $4.5m extension<\/a> at the club.<\/p>\n BEAU FERMOR<\/a><\/p>\n Another dead-end from the Titans, with Fermor rejecting interest from Perth to ink a new deal with the Titans.<\/a><\/p>\n PERTH BEARS NEWS<\/p>\n Perth\u2019s pathways plan: Bears to complete talent pipeline build<\/a><\/p>\n Bears infiltrate Broncos heartland armed with record $1m sponsor deal<\/a><\/p>\n 500 NRL players reveal biggest challenge facing Perth Bears<\/a><\/p>\n