Cooper Johns joins The Kyle and Jackie O show on KIIS FM after NRL retirement

Matty Johns’ youngest has announced his retirement from the NRL, joining radio juggernaut KIIS FM as part of The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Manly five-eighth Cooper Johns has confirmed his shock move to KIIS FM in a hilarious social media post taking aim at Craig Bellamy and telling his family, including father Matty Johns, to “get f****d”.

Johns, who did not have a new deal on the table from the Sea Eagles, will walk away from the NRL to join juggernaut radio stars Kyle and Jackie O on KIIS FM.

Sandilands confirmed the bombshell move live on air on Monday morning after co-presenter Jackie O jokingly asked why Johns was in the studio.

“We’re not sure what he does yet but we’ve just secured his services,” Sandilands said.

“The reason why we got Coops is because I thought he’s very, very good. We were paranoid and thought ‘we’ve got to secure this guy’.”

Johns is a rising media talent in his own right having already made numerous appearances on television, radio and the popular Matty Johns Podcast.

“Nobody really knew what I was doing (in here this morning) and I don’t actually know what I’m doing either,” Johns replied to Sandilands’ announcement.

Johns took to social media on Monday afternoon to confirm the shock news of him ‘swapping the ‘leather pig skin for a microphone’.

In the tongue-in-cheek- post Johns takes aim at his former coach at the Storm, Craig Bellamy, for refusing to pick him in the NRL side despite offering numerous “bribes”.

But the biggest pot shot was left for his family, including father Matty Johns, former Knights champion and Fox League host.

“Loved my time in the @nrl but after some late nights pondering over a couple of schooners of Malibu and Coke no sugar I’ve decided to step away for a bit and switch out the leather pig skin for a microphone,” Johns said on Instagram.

“Never in my days would I have expected such an outpouring of sorrow, grief and emotion.

“But in all seriousness I’ll never forget the lifetime friends I’ve made & the ones I hope I never see again (@bradparker04 @harrrygrantt & @tyranwishart) just to name a few.

Cooper Johns (R) joins the Kyle and Jackie O Show (inset).

“The memories … so many to pick from… first game… first try … first offseason scandal shoutout to @munster94 @hecticcheese.

“And finally to all my coaches particularly Craig Bellamy …who refused to select me regardless of mediocre form and numerous bribes, don’t expect a reference when you’re looking for another club to drag through the mud.

“And finally to my family, who cause me nothing but stress… get f****d. Is this the end who knows … one thing I do know is rugby league is the greatest game of all.”

Sandilands revealed it took some work to convince Matty Johns the move was the right one for his son.

“His father was on the phone saying, ‘Don’t let my son get screwed. You really want him to quit footy? It’s got to be worth his while’,” Sandilands said.

Johns, 24, played 11 NRL games for the Storm between 2020-2022 before signing with Manly on a train and trial deal, playing eight games for the side in 2023.