Rising NRL star Tallyn Da Silva quits Wests Tigers to join Parramatta Eels

The biggest transfer of the June 30 deadline is complete, with rising star Tallyn Da Silva leaving Wests Tigers for one of their western Sydney rivals. See the full contract details.

Wests Tigers have had a second rising star quit the club in a matter of weeks after hooker Tallyn Da Silva agreed to a long-term deal to join Parramatta.

The deal will be formally agreed to on Monday will see Da Silva join the Eels immediately on a four and a half year contract. The 20-year-old had interest from Newcastle, Manly and North Queensland but will join Parramatta after meeting with Eels’ officials on Sunday morning.

It is understood the deal will average out about $650,000 a season.

Talks of a potential three way trade between the Knights, Tigers and Eels never got off the ground with the mid-season trade deadline closing at midnight on Monday. There was a plan hatched which would have seen Dylan Brown join Newcastle immediately, Kai Pearce-Paul to make a mid-season switch to the Tigers with Da Silva joining the Eels. That won’t happen.

Instead it is Parramatta who have been given a huge boost as they become one of the rare clubs who have their long-term 1-7-9 sorted. Da Silva joins Mitchell Moses and Isaiah Iongi locked into Parramatta’s key positions with Joash Papalii expected to get first crack at Brown’s No.6 jersey next year.

Tallyn Da Silva will join the Eels effective immediately. Picture: NRL

Da Silva’s move won’t impact impressive hooker Ryley Smith who the Eels have already re-signed with the club believing they can form a strong combination.

The Eels were easily able to accommodate Da Silva after parting ways with Joe Ofahengaue and Bryce Cartwright already while Shaun Lane will retire.

The decision by the Tigers to release Da Silva comes after good friend and fellow local product Lachie Galvin also left the Tigers with 18 months remaining on their respective contracts.

The pair were part of Western Suburbs’ Harold Matthews Cup win in 2022. Galvin’s situation dragged on and created headlines before he eventually joined the Bulldogs instead of Parramatta.

Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has three of his four spine members locked in long-term. Picture: NRL

By contrast, the Da Silva conversation eventuated after the club indicated to his management that they wanted to keep co-captain Api Koroisau long-term.

Da Silva and Koroisau were both contracted until the end of next year but Tigers coach Benji Marshall has long held the belief that the club should extend Koroisau even if they club knew it would come at the expense of the younger player. Da Silva told the Tigers he wanted to remain at the club but would be forced to look elsewhere if they kept Koroisau given he wanted to be a starting dummy half. The Tigers are talking with Koroisau’s agent about a two-year extension for the 32-year-old.

The Tigers granted Da Silva permission to talk with rival clubs only 10 days ago. The Cowboys are now expected to turn their attention to Canterbury’s Reed Mahoney.

Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva (both middle) in their Wests Tigers days.

With Parramatta having the bye this week, Da Silva will be in line for his club debut against Penrith on July 13.

The Tigers meanwhile, are struggling to piece together a competitive spine for their clash against the Roosters. Koroisau will miss the game because of concussion while Jarome Luai will be on NSW Origin duty and fullback Heath Mason suspended.

Third-choice rake Tristan Hope was withdrawn from NSW Cup duties on Saturday and is in line to play his second NRL game.