Semi Radradra has signed a lucrative deal with French rugby giants Toulon

FRENCH rugby giants Toulon have confirmed the signing of Semi Radradra, despite domestic violence charges hanging over the head of the Parramatta star.

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FRENCH rugby giants Toulon have confirmed the signing of Semi Radradra, despite domestic violence charges hanging over his head of the Parramatta star.

Radradra’s manager George Christodoulou on Monday night told The Daily Telegraph a “very good offer” had been tabled to the 24-year-old for the 2017-18 season.

But Christodoulou blasted the club for confirming the signing on its website.

“This is a massive disappointment, they have jumped the gun,’’ Christodoulou said. “A pre contract, let alone a final contract, hasn’t even been issued to us. Nothing has been signed.

Semi Radradra missed a court date because he was back home in Fiji. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“Yes the offer on the table is a good one, which is for 2018, but nothing has been signed.’’

Toulon touted Radradra’s signing as a “big blow realised on the transfer market by your favourite team”.

Toulon’s owner Mourad Boudjellal told Fox Sports on Monday night Radradra “has signed with Toulon (for) one year, with a one-year option’’.

The 2017-18 season begins in August, with Radradra still a chance to play for the Eels before heading to France. But it remains to be seen if they will want the rugby-bound winger to remain at the club.

In a case of deja vu, for the second time in five months Radradra failed on Monday to meet an Eels-imposed deadline to return home from Fiji as the threat of a defection to rugby union surfaced.

“In an ideal world his future would have become a lot clearer after (Monday’s) case and we could have moved forward with negotiations with Parramatta, first and foremost, other NRL clubs, and then weighed it up against the Toulon deal,’’ Christodoulou said.

Radradra was a no-show at Parramatta Local Court to face domestic violence allegations involving his ex-partner Perina Ting, which will now be held over to February 13.

He has until tomorrow afternoon to sufficiently explain his absence after magistrate Tim Keady rejected the explanation and a letter from a Fijian doctor written on Sunday, that his father was ill.

Radradra was granted leave by Parramatta last Wednesday after telling the club of his father’s ill-health.

New Parramatta boss Bernie Gurr was unapologetic about allowing the troubled star to return home to Fiji.

Semi Radradra in action for the PM's XIII against Papua New Guinea. pic Mark Evans

Instead of facing court on Monday and joining his teammates for a three-day training camp on the Central Coast this morning, the Eels now expect Radradra to arrive back at Sydney airport sometime on Tuesday.

In June, Radradra refused to leave Fiji while he weighed up whether to quit Parramatta and accept a big-money offer from French rugby club Bordeaux. He came home five days late and was arrested upon his return over domestic violence allegations.

In court, not even Magistrate Keady was convinced Radradra was ready to return to Sydney.

“I get the impression it will not be any time soon,’’ he said.

Magistrate Keady revoked Radradra’s bail and issuing a holdover warrant for his arrest, but Gurr backed the club’s stance to grant the star winger leave.

Semi Radradra during a workout at the National Fitness Centre in Fiji. Pic Nathan Edwards

“I think it was totally appropriate we let him go,’’ Gurr told The Daily Telegraph.

“He came to us with the understanding from his family — and we spoke to his mum, too — that his dad was very very sick.

“Given that scenario, everybody, no matter who you are, could understand from a purely compassionate point of view that of course we were going to let him go.

“We don’t back away from that at all.

“It was a totally normal and compassionate thing to do.

“He desperately wanted to go home, I could understand it, and I would have, too.

“All things being equal, we hope to see him back (today), hopefully, and he’ll be right to go.”

Semi Radradra has been offered a deal with French rugby side Toulon. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Radradra’s February 13 hearing next year will take place just 20 days before the Eels kick-off what was meant to be a trouble-free 2017 NRL campaign.

Eels sources said Radradra had been in good spirits, despite the pending court case. He had already pleaded not guilty to the charges, and wanted to matter settled in the courts — well before the start of the season proper — only for his father to fall ill.

Radradra is unlikely to feature in the All Stars fixture next year, with the pre-season game to fall three days before his court hearing.

Gurr said while it would have been “preferable’’ Radradra made it back for court.

“From a club disciplinary point of view, he’s done nothing wrong at this stage — he’s asked for justifiable compassionate leave, and we gave it to him,’’ Gurr said.

Gurr made it clear he wanted Radradra in the blue and gold for years to come.

“I’ve only been in the chair about a month, but I understand how much fans love Semi, and understand from a football point of view he’s a very important player for us,’’ Gurr said.

“We’d like him to be here long term.’’

Originally published as Semi Radradra has signed a lucrative deal with French rugby giants Toulon