Wests Tigers sign Joey Leilua From Canberra Raiders on three-year contract

Joey Leilua has played his last game for Canberra. The Samoa international agreed a three-year deal to join his little brother Luciano at Wests Tigers.

Joey Leilua of the Raiders runs with the ball over the try line but was later overused during the NRL Second Qualifying match between the Melbourne Storm and the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Saturday, September 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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The net was cast far and wide — but finally the Wests Tigers have landed a big fish.

Damaging centre and one-time NSW Origin contender Joey Leilua has quit Canberra to join the Tigers, agreeing to the terms of a three-year deal, effective immediately.

And the Tigers aren’t finished with finalising their 2020 roster, maintaining their pursuit of South Sydney’s Adam Doueihi, who is being squeezed out at Redfern as a result of the arrival of Latrell Mitchell.

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Leilua should be a big figure for Wests Tigers. Photo: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

Leilua has just 48 days to gel with his new teammates before round one of the season after both the Raiders and Tigers administration brokered the deal on Saturday afternoon.

Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe was attempting to formally register Leilua’s contract with the NRL on Saturday night, which was the reason for the delay in formally announcing the new signing to their fans.

Leilua’s arrival is viewed as a relieving and valuable scalp by the Tigers hierarchy after frustratingly, they failed to lure previous and well-publicised targets Mitchell, Matt Moylan, Jai Arrow and Kurt Capewell.

Leilua, 28, is expected to link with his younger brother and former St George Illawarra forward Luciano Leilua at Tigers training on Tuesday.

Joey and Luciano Leilua will bring a family feeling to Leichardt. Photo: Brett Costello

The Tigers were eager to replenish their outside backs following the departure of rookie outside centre Esarn Masters to North Queensland.

Equally, the Raiders were willing to release Leilua and also contribute financially to his 2020 deal at the Tigers after recruiting Curtis Scott from the Melbourne Storm before to Christmas.

Leilua, who polarises fans with his aggressive and in-your-face playing style, personally thanked the Raiders players and coach Ricky Stuart for their support before agreeing to the Tigers deal.

Stuart gave Leilua the day off training on Saturday to sort his future out and the deal was resolved just after lunchtime.

Doueihi future has long been subject of speculation. Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

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The Tigers will now turn their attention to signing Doueihi.

Like the protracted negotiations of Leilua’s deal, the signature of the Rabbitohs utility is being haggled over by both clubs over. The stumbling block being how much each club is willing to contribute to his 2020 contract, should he link with the Tigers.

Understood to be on a deal worth close to $550,000 at Souths in 2020, Doueihi has every right to ensure he doesn’t settle for less.

However, the Roosters have been mentioned as a late player for the impressive 21-year-old, who can play virtually any position in the backline.

The Roosters would prefer not to buy a solution to covering the loss of rookie centre Billy Smith, who disappointingly suffered a second torn ACL on Monday.

But given Doueihi’s ability, the Roosters are watching the negotiations with the Tigers closely.

Originally published as Wests Tigers sign Joey Leilua From Canberra Raiders on three-year contract