Keano Kini signs multimillion-dollar, five-year extension with Gold Coast Titans

Despite the possibility of missing the rest of the season after undergoing neck surgery, Keano Kini has signed off on one of the richest deals in Titans history. See the full details.

Gold Coast Titans fullback Keano Kini has signed a new long-term deal. Picture: Titans Media.

Gold Coast have staved off poaching raids for Keano Kini with the Titans fullback sensation inking one of the richest deals in the club’s 18-year history.

Kini has outlined his desire to deliver a maiden premiership to the Titans after signing a multimillion-dollar, five-year upgrade in a massive coup for the Coast.

It is a major statement of faith from the Kiwi Test dynamo in the struggling Titans ahead of Saturday’s home clash against Melbourne at Cbus Super Stadium.

Kini was originally off-contract at the end of 2026, leaving the Titans vulnerable to poaching threats from incoming expansion clubs Perth and Papua New Guinea.

But the Titans have moved swiftly to prevent Kini heading to free agency on November 1, with the flying fullback pledging his future to the Gold Coast until the end of 2030.

Rated one of the code’s hottest prospects, Kini’s new mega deal will see him join the likes of elite NRL stars Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Nathan Cleary, Daly Cherry-Evans and Titans teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Keano Kini has secured a monster extension with the Titans.

Currently sidelined due to neck surgery, Kini said he wants to join forces with Fa’asuamaleaui, AJ Brimson and David Fifita in leading the Gold Coast to a watershed premiership.

“We want to make this club successful on and off the field. That’s my number one goal,” Kini said after putting pen to paper on his five-year extension.

“It’s the best thing for my family to live here on the Gold Coast and be around people we love at a club we love.

“I know the club hasn’t been very successful but we are heading in the right direction.

“We love the Gold Coast and it’s home now.”

Just turned 21, Kini made his NRL debut in 2023 and the Auckland-born livewire exploded onto the scene last year, winning the Paul Broughton Medal as the Titans’ best-and-fairest.

In a stunning 2024 campaign, Kini averaged a remarkable 212 metres per game and posted 66 tackle busts in 16 games to go with 10 line breaks, seven try assists and six tries.

That led to his Test debut for New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships and with his blistering speed and boyish good looks, Kini now sits alongside Walsh and Ponga as the NRL’s fullback poster boys.

In a major boost for the Titans, Kini has been cleared of serious neck damage and is due to return later this season, saying he wanted to repay the Gold Coast’s loyalty.

“It means a lot to sign for a longer period of time, it’s amazing for my little family,” said Kini, who recently welcomed his first child with partner Faith.

“Especially for the Titans to have faith in me while I’m injured.

“I love the Gold Coast and what that community means to me. It’s my second home after Auckland.

“It was challenging hearing about my injury, it was unexpected, but having my little one has really helped me.

“It’s been a really good journey so far. I’m still mobile, I’ve been into the rehab and I’m hoping in a month or two I’ll be back training with the boys and on the field soon.

“Once the injury heals and bone fuses it’ll be stronger than it originally was.

“I have no doubt I’ll be back to my form. This time off has given me time to rethink my game.

“Hopefully I can do what the other great players have done and come back even stronger.

“I just want to repay the Titans on the field.”

The likes of Fifita, Ponga and Walsh have spoken about the pressures of performing on a weekly basis on lucrative long-term deals, but Kini is backing himself to deliver in the Titans No.1 jumper.

Keano Kini with his young child and partner. Picture: Titans Media.

“Footy does all the talking. There will be a lot of pressure but pressure is a privilege,” he said.

“I know I can do my part for the team and turn this club around.

“We’ve got a nice young group here and a solid foundation.

“I know once we start putting the wins on the board the Gold Coast community will get behind us.

“I want to be part of the team that starts winning and start the hype for Gold Coast rugby league.”

Keano Kini shows off his speed.

Kini’s manager Chris Orr says the Titans ace will go on to become an NRL superstar.

“I have been managing athletes for 26 years and Keano Kini is a very special player,” said Orr of PSM.

“He is a future NRL captain.

“The character he has shown through his recent neck injury and the arrival of his young son has been extremely impressive.

Keano Kini is an excitement machine. Picture: NRL Imagery

“That has reassured me and others at the Titans that he has a long career within the NRL as a leader.”

Kini is relishing the competition for the fullback spot at the Titans and wants to return to the playing field this season.

“We’ve got a lot of players in our team that can play fullback,” he said.

“That’s always good competition for me. It helps me prove my worth at fullback.

“It’s hard to say with a neck injury (when he will return).

“I’m hoping for the last couple games of the season, the best case scenario is the last six or seven games.

“We’ll see how my neck goes. I’ll try and come back when I’m fit and healthy.”