Parramatta Eels land Josh Hodgson to end NRL exodus

The Parramatta Eels have finally made signings after a raft of departures, reportedly signing Raiders’ hooker Josh Hodgson and Bailey Simonsson from the Raiders.

Josh Hodgson of the Raiders. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

The Eels have secured veteran hooker Josh Hodgson for the 2023 season, desperately searching for a hooker after losing Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs.

The England international is set to sign a two-year deal and will provide much needed leadership and experience to the club, having been a crucial figure in the Raiders set up over the past seven years.

The signing will mark a rare incoming for the Eels according to The Daily Telegraph, after a raft of key players signing elsewhere.

Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Bailey Simonsson is also set for a return to Sydney, inking a three-year deal with the Parramatta side which will begin in 2022, with the Raiders contributing to his salary for next season and 2023.

The young centre’s departure could make way for a return for Nick Cotric to the nation’s capital after only one season at the Bulldogs according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The first outgoing was Isaiah Papali’i, who rejected the Parramatta side’s offers and signed with the Wests Tigers from 2023, while Reed Mahoney took the cash from the Bulldogs to join the club’s new wave of recruits.

Marata Niukore is also on the move, joining the New Zealand Warriors from 2023 on a lucrative four-year deal.

Hodgson made the move to the nation’s capital after a spell with Hull in the English Super League before guiding the Raiders to a grand final in 2019, eventually losing to the Roosters.

Josh Hodgson of the Raiders has reportedly signed with the Eels in a major coup. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

MORE NRL NEWS

OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: Latrell hints at shock positional switch

TRANSFER CENTRE: Naiqama’s NRL return confirmed; Dolphins sign rising Eels star

RECRUITMENT: Tigers skipper labels star duo ‘best signings ever’ in big Sheens praise

The move could start a chain of signings, with the Raiders potentially looking elsewhere for hooking options if they don’t see Tom Starling as the natural replacement.

Roosters’ Sam Verrils and Tigers’ Josh Hodgson could shape as potential options with their respective clubs signing top class hookers.

MORE NRL NEWS

‘HUGE CONCERN’: Eels must overhaul ‘stubborn’ recruiting method

‘REGRET HOW IT HAPPENED’: Sorry Smith returns to Storm training

EXPANSION: Shock claims a second NZ team is in box seat for 18th franchise

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

Originally published as Parramatta Eels land Josh Hodgson to end NRL exodus