James Maloney to sign $1.2 million contract with Catalan Dragons

You might think James Maloney would be sad to call time on his NRL career when he joins the Super League next year — but a huge contract from Catalan Dragons will keep the smile on his face.

Maloney has earned his success. Photo: Brett Costello

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Jimmy Maloney is renowned as the NRL’s favourite joker. Yet the laid-back prankster is the one who is laughing all the way to the bank.

The Penrith playmaker’s deal with Catalans Dragons in the English Super League, which he announced this week, is the richest in the club’s 19-year history.

The deal, which is for two years, is believed to be worth around $1.2 million.

Maloney, 33, also has an additional year included in the contract, which he can trigger should he choose to play on until the end of 2022.

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Maloney has earned his success. Photo: Brett Costello

The significance of Maloney’s mega deal being the richest in Catalans eight-year history is a credit to the kid from Orange, especially when you consider the long list of Test, Origin and premiership-winning champions the Super League club — based in Perpignan in the south of France — have signed over the years.

Among them are Stacey Jones, Steve Menzies, Greg Bird, Jason Croker, Willie Mason, Glenn Stewart, Todd Carney, Jason Ryles, Dallas Johnson, Chris Walker and Willie Tonga.

Maloney’s recent State of Origin series success with the NSW Blues contributed to a spike in his appeal in the UK, with Leeds Rhinos and the Toronto Wolfpack also hoping to entice the two-time NRL premiership winner.

It is the perfect time for Maloney to move overseas. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

One NRL club also made an inquiry, but Maloney’s career plan has always been to finish his career in the Super League, where he can travel with his young family.

Bird, who will retire at the end of this year after two seasons with Catalans, told your columnist: “I’m surprised that a player of his calibre with the run of success he’s had recently, that a struggling NRL club wouldn’t throw the kitchen sink at him for a taste of his leadership.

“Their loss is our gain.

“He’ll fit in perfectly with what Steve McNamara (Catalans coach) is building here in France.

“Being the same age as me when I first came here, I know Jimmy and his family will enjoy the lifestyle.’’

Originally published as James Maloney to sign $1.2 million contract with Catalan Dragons