Market Watch: James Tedesco extends contract at Sydney Roosters by 12 months

Champion fullback James Tedesco has signed a new extension with the Roosters - but the club now faces a complex situation with one of its brightest young stars.

James Tedesco has re-signed for 12 months. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters have extended the contract of their champion fullback James Tedesco for an extra 12 months.

The signing kills speculation of the club being reluctant to keep the Kangaroos skipper beyond 2024.

It had been suggested boom teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii had been earmarked for the fullback role in two years time.

Tedesco’s extension is worth $1 million a season and will bring him to the age of 33 by the end of the 2025 season.

The Suaalii situation remains an interesting and complex situation for the club to handle. His camp has made no secret of the fact he wants to play at fullback long-term.

James Tedesco has signed a $1 million extension. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Tedesco had earlier on Monday tried to shut down speculation about his future.

“Hundred per cent (we can coexist),” Tedesco said.

“I don’t think anyone would want to leave the club, especially myself – I want to stay here as long as I can. So having guys like Joseph Suaalii and Joseph Manu outside me and not in the spine is pretty dangerous for our team.

“If we can get us all together playing for many years to come, I think it’s pretty beneficial for the club.

“Of course I want to finish my career here, but there’s no rush for me. I’ve got two years left on my contract, I’m happy with where I’m at – I’m enjoying my career here so far at the Roosters.

“We’ll see what happens, there’s no rush.”

Roosters great Cooper Cronk said Tedesco could play past his new contract and backed him to perform alongside Suaalii, despite the teenager starring for Samoa at fullback in last year’s World Cup.

“Of course he is,” Cronk said on NRL 360 when asked if Suaalii is a fullback. “We saw him in the World Cup. But the thing about this rhetoric about fighting for the one position – the two blokes love the Roosters and they’re selfless type players, they put ego in the back pocket and get the job done.

“In terms of Tedesco he is the fullback of the Roosters and if Suaalii wants to be a part of it he’ll find a way.

“The best thing about James Tedesco is he spent a lot of time in junior days at Tigers but he bleeds red, white and blue now. That (contract) will set him up for a long time and he’ll be able to pass on his messages to the next generation of Roosters.”