Kyle Flanagan signs with Bulldogs on monster three-year deal
Kyle Flanagan has signed a massive $1 million-plus deal with the Canterbury Bulldogs, but the Sydney Roosters will still pay a chunk of his salary next season as part of the switch.
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Kyle Flanagan has joined the Canterbury revolution - signing a three-year deal from next season.
The talented halfback put pen to paper on his deal with the Bulldogs on Monday after receiving a formal release from the final year of his contract in 2021 with the Sydney Roosters.
Flanagan’s junior club Cronulla held discussions with the 22-year-old and subsequently tabled an offer last week, but the Sharks failed to match the $1 million-plus deal from Canterbury.
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With playmakers Shaun Johnson, Connor Tracey and Matt Moylan off-contract at the end of 2021, Sharks legend Paul Gallen had been vocal in declaring the signature of Flanagan was an “investment in the future” for the club.
But it’s the Bulldogs who pursued Flanagan with force and under coach Trent Barrett, a former Test and NSW State of Origin half, the playmaker believes his game can go to the next level.
Barrett has a huge opinion of Flanagan, who was let go by the Roosters despite helping the club to week two of the finals in his first season with the tricolours.
Canterbury are expected to formally announce Flanagan’s signing on Tuesday.
Flanagan messaged the Roosters players on Monday to thank them for their support throughout the past 12-months.
In a text message to The Daily Telegraph, Flanagan confirmed his move to Belmore by writing: “The opportunity to work with Trent (Barrett) is what appeals to me most with him being a former representative half.
“Everyone can see the direction of which the Bulldogs are heading with the players they already have and the ones they’ve recruited and I’m honoured to be a part of it.
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“I’m looking forward to the next chapter with such a proud club and the lure of leading this football team around the park is something I can’t wait for.”
Major factors in his release from the Roosters included salary cap pressure and the rise of young Sam Walker.
As part of the release, the Roosters will contribute close to $100,000 for Flanagan’s first season at the Dogs.
Barrett, who has worked with Nathan Cleary as the Penrith attack coach for the past 12-months, believes Flanagan has a similar skill-set to the NSW Origin halfback and is 12-18-months away from his full physical development.
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Flanagan will be given the responsibility of steering Canterbury the club out of the doldrums alongside a growing list of key signings including Nick Cotric, Jack Hetherington, Corey Waddell and Blake Green also part of the rebuild.
With Flanagan secured, Barrett will now switch his focus to luring rising Penrith five-eighth Matt Burton, who is off-contract at the end of 2021 at the Panthers, but can negotiate with rival clubs from November - this Sunday.
Originally published as Kyle Flanagan signs with Bulldogs on monster three-year deal