Newcastle Knights sign Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey for 2020

Cronulla have released promising hooker Jayden Brailey from the final year of his contract to allow the 23-year old to take up a deal with the Knights.

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Jayden Brailey has been formally released from the final year of his contract at Cronulla to join the Newcastle Knights.

The Sharks have declared pressure from their salary cap penalty and the re-signing of Brailey’s younger brother, NSW under-20s hooker Blayke, made it impossible to retain the talented dummy-half.

Contracted until the end of 2020 with Cronulla, Brailey will move to Newcastle next season on what is expected to be a three-year deal.

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Brailey has been a fixture at the Sharks since 2017. Picture by Brett Costello.

“The fact that we recently signed another hooker, extending the contract of his brother Blayke,

meant salary cap pressures due to fines levelled against us for previous breeches would have made it almost impossible to offer Jayden a suitable contract going forward,” Sharks General Manager of Football Phil Moss said.

“The fact that he could secure this opportunity elsewhere resulted in us granting his release request for 2020.

“Jayden has been, and for the remainder of this season will continued to be, a valued member of our club and while he will be missed and we are disappointed to see him moving on, we understand his reasons and wish him well.’’

Brailey will link up with the Knights next season. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

A local junior, who has played 62 first grade games, Brailey said he was disappointed to leave the club but thankful to receive the release.

“I’m disappointed to be moving on from the Sharks,’’ Brailey said.

It’s always been a dream of mine to be playing for my junior club since I was a young kid and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities they have given me.

“I have so many fond memories, as well as mates here that will last a lifetime.”