The Knights have bolstered their squad for 2027 with veteran forward Marata Niukore signing a three-year deal to return to Australia.<\/p>\n
Niukore spent the first five years of his career at the Eels and is currently in his fourth season with the Warriors, where he\u2019s fresh off scoring a try in their drought-breaking win over the Storm.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old still has plenty of good footy left in him but is seeking a fresh start in Newcastle, with the Warriors boasting some of the best young talent in the game, which could have seen him struggle for opportunities going forward.<\/p>\n
The Knights have struck gold in the recruitment department with Trey Mooney thriving after he made the move from Canberra, while Dylan Brown was looking great before he suffered a knee injury. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are super excited Marata and his family have chosen to come to the Knights in 2027,\u201c Knights head of recruitment Peter O\u2019Sullivan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a big athletic body, who can play in the middle or on the edge, with the same level of execution.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarata is one of the top edge defenders in the game and having played a lot of NRL in the centres, he adds genuine skill and versatility to our future stocks.<\/p>\n
\u201cEqually importantly, we know he is a great person, who cares about the club, the community and the teammates he represents, already committing to leaving the jersey in a better position than how he receives it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Dragons have confirmed that edge forward Jaydn Su\u2019A will leave the club at the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cJaydn has been an important part of our squad and has made a valued contribution to the club during his time in the Red V,\u201d Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank Jaydn for his contribution to the Dragons and wish him and his family all the best for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former State of Origin forward has been heavily linked with a move to the Eels, with the club not ruling out a possible mid-season move. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have the ability to do that (sign players now) but that\u2019s something that we\u2019ll have to look at with our recruitment team during the week and the weeks coming,\u201d Eels coach Jason Ryles said as the club deals with a mounting injury crisis.<\/p>\n