Gold Coast Titans lock down Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita in $15m coup

Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has recommitted to the club on a record-breaking ten year deal while David Fifita has added at least three years to his stay at the club.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita. Picture: Supplied

The Titans have secured Queensland Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita in the biggest contract coup in NRL history.

This masthead can reveal the Titans have staved off poaching threats by brokering an extraordinary $15 million package to keep Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita on the Gold Coast.

The dynamic duo became free agents in June following the sacking of Titans coach Justin Holbrook, with clauses in their contracts opening the door for NRL suitors to make big-money poaching bids.

But the Titans have blown their NRL rivals out of the water with a head-spinning package deal.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita have extended their stay at the Titans. Picture: Supplied

Fa’asuamaleaui will stay at the Titans until the end of 2033, inking a 10-year mega deal worth an estimated $12 million - the richest individual contract in rugby league’s 115-year history.

As part of the deal, Fa’asuamaleaui is locked in until the end of 2026 and while options are in place for a further seven years, the inspirational prop intends to finish his career at the Titans.

Fifita, meanwhile, has rescinded his get-out clause and agreed to a fresh three-year deal to remain at the Titans until the end of 2026.

Collectively, the two deals are worth at least $15 million, and they could be even more lucrative if forecasted increases in the NRL salary cap trigger ratchet clauses.

Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell confirmed the representative jewels in Gold Coast’s crown are staying on the Glitter Strip for the long haul.

“We’re thrilled that both Tino and David have reaffirmed their commitment to the club,” Mitchell said.

“These are two great young men, talented footballers and important players for us as we work towards our goal of bringing premierships to the Coast.”

Sick of being seen as NRL lightweights, the Titans are flexing their muscle as part of their strategic road map to win two premierships over the next decade.

Six weeks ago, the Titans signed a marquee coach in Des Hasler, who begins next season, and the five-time grand-final mentor will have Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita spearheading his Gold Coast rebuild.

Never before has the NRL industry witnessed such a gargantuan twin contract package.

In 2015, Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans made history by signing an eight-year lifetime contract with Manly worth an estimated $10 million.

Two years later, Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo became the first player to sign a decade-long deal, committing to North Queensland until the end of 2027.

Last year, Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga inked a five-year extension worth around $6 million, while in January, Kiwi Test five-eighth Dylan Brown committed to a nine-year package with the Eels until the end of 2031.

Daly Cherry-Evans signed the first eight figure contract in the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

But the Fa’asuamaleaui bonanza has trumped them all.

The Maroons enforcer was originally signed until the end of 2024, with a two-year option until the end of 2026, but the parties scrapped that deal in the wake of Holbrook’s termination and began talks on a beefed-up contract.

The result is a 10-year windfall for the Titans skipper.

It is understood the deal contains a ratchet clause tied to the NRL salary cap. The 23-year-old will earn around $1.1 million next season with incremental increases over the course of his lifetime deal.

Fa’asuamaleaui will be 33 when his new deal expires and, on average, his history-making 10-year package is worth an average of $1.2m annually, with scope for growth commensurate with the NRL salary cap.

Earlier this season, his good mate Fifita rejected interest from several NRL clubs to ink a three-year extension. It is understood the Maroons back-rower has received a slight pay rise by committing to a revised three-year deal until the end of 2026.

Fa’asuamaleaui was linked with the Bulldogs and the Storm, but the Queensland and Test prop said he was determined to stay loyal to his teammates in pursuit of a maiden premiership.

“My family are only two hours up the road (at Gympie), which helps,” he said.

“That helps having family around.

“Also, the footy side of things was a massive one.

“The boys we have here are so good - the boys are all young and all growing together.”

The Titans have made the finals just twice in the past 12 years, but Fa’asuamaleaui urged Gold Coast fans to keep the faith, saying he will spearhead a bold new era for the club with Fifita in tow.

Des Hasler can build his future Titans squad around the two gun forwards. Picture: Getty Images

“Keep supporting us,” he said.

“We have a good group here who are willing to work hard.

“Keep supporting us because one day you guys will be rewarded.”

Mitchell said the Titans’ record investment in their F-Troop - Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita - will reap dividends for the Gold Coast on and off the field.

“Both Tino and David have already made an impact in their time here and as a club, we’re excited to see what they can achieve in our jersey over the coming years,” he said.

“The impact that Tino has had within our community is immeasurable.

“Kids in our region already aspire to be like Tino and having him committed for the next decade is a huge boost for our fans and members.

“Our purpose as a club is to make our communities proud, inspire them with energy and unite them through success.

“Tino and David and their families believe in our purpose and I’m excited to see them bring it to life under Des Hasler in 2024.”