NRL market watch: Warriors secure English forward Morgan Gannon on three-year deal
The Warriors have landed a massive free agency blow, securing one of the hottest young prospects from the UK Super League as they continue to shore-up their roster.
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The New Zealand Warriors are on the verge of securing Super League young gun Morgan Gannon on a long-term deal.
It is understood that Gannon, 21, will join the Warriors from next season on a three-year contract after the club identified him to be their Dylan Walker replacement.
This masthead first reported last month that the Warriors were keen to secure the signature of the 101kg, 190cm dynamic second-rower.
He had a host of Super League clubs including his current club Leeds – coached by former Parramatta mentor Brad Arthur – wanting to secure him long-term, but he wants to make the move to the NRL.
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“I know he loves the club and he appreciates what the club have done for him, all the indicators are he wants to continue to play here,” Arthur said last month.
“I’m pretty comfortable with where he’s at. I’d expect him to be playing for Leeds next year, but until it’s sorted, the decision is yet to be made.”
Meanwhile, Leeds captain Cameron Smith described Gannon as a “special player” who is “only going to get better”.
At just 21, with already more than 50 Super League matches to his name, he has opted to make the switch to join the Warriors in 2026. New Zealand have former Leeds coach Richie Agar on their coaching staff.
Gannon’s father, Jim, was a Newcastle Knights junior who shifted to the UK Super League after playing two seasons for the Balmain Tigers in 1998-99.
Jim Gannon played more than 200 games in England for Halifax, Huddersfield, Widnes and Hull KR.
The Warriors have been patient in looking to add a high-quality player to their forward pack. They lost Tohu Harris to premature retirement before a ball was kicked in the 2025 season, with the club so far opting against signing someone for this year.
While they allowed Walker to leave his contract early after he linked up with Parramatta.
Gannon missed the entire 2024 season because of repeated concussions but has returned strongly to the field this year.
The good news is expected to continue for the Warriors with the club hopeful of keeping Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad with a multi-year contract. Nicoll-Klokstad seemed destined for a Super League switch of his own after attracting long-term offers from a host of clubs including Catalans. He rejected the Warriors a few weeks ago but now looks likely to extend his time at the club.
However, Te Maire Martin’s future remains up in the air.
The 29-year-old has spent the opening weeks of the season in NSW Cup as Warriors coach opted for Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf as his NRL halves combination.
Martin has been named to make his 2025 NRL season debut off the bench for the Warriors when they host Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.
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Originally published as NRL market watch: Warriors secure English forward Morgan Gannon on three-year deal
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