Cameron Munster signs four-year contract extension with Melbourne Storm

After months of speculation, Cameron Munster has finally made a decision on which club he will represent in 2024 and beyond.

Australian international Cameron Munster has signed a four-year contract extension with the Melbourne Storm, keeping the talented five-eighth at the club until the end of 2027.

The 28-year-old, one of rugby league’s most in-demand players, has been at the centre of a three-way tug of war over the past few months, with the Wests Tigers and Dolphins hunting for his signature.

But on Thursday evening, the Storm confirmed they had convinced Munster to remain a one-club player.

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Munster’s management informed the Storm of his decision hours before he departed for England with the Kangaroos squad ahead of the Rugby League World Cup.

The deal, which comes four weeks before Munster would have hit the open market, was worth $4 million, foxsports.com.au revealed.

According to the News Corp report, Munster rejected a four-year contracted offer from the Dolphins worth $5.6 million.

It means the NRL’s 17th club is still searching for a marquee player ahead of its maiden season.

Munster was previously on a $1.2 million annual salary with the Storm, so the two-time premiership player has copped a $200,000 haircut to his existing contract.

Hugeeeeee!
This is a great re-signing for Melbourne … but a massive, massive blow for the Dolphins! https://t.co/WDwv748z1V

— Zac Bailey (@ZacBailey14) October 6, 2022

CAMERON! MUNSTER!
GOOD. LORD.
That is gooooooooood news.

— Hayley Wildes (@wildes_hayley) October 6, 2022

Not surprised Cameron Munster signed for the Storm barely days after the Dolphins kit was leaked. #NRL

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 6, 2022

“I love the Melbourne Storm and I am proud to be committing to the club for a further four years,” Munster said in a statement.

“The club has always been supportive of me, even through some of the more difficult times, and I appreciate Trippy, Justin, Frank and Craig giving me the time I needed to think through the decision with Bianca and my family.

“It is such an important decision for me, and in the end, Melbourne is where my heart is, Melbourne is where I want to play my footy, and Melbourne is the club I want to be a part of for the rest of my career.

“I’ve always wanted to be a one club player. Storm gave me the chance to play NRL and the club has become a second home for me since making my debut.

“Both Bianca and I have family back in Queensland but we are settled in Melbourne, we have a great support network and we look forward to growing our young family in the years to come.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process, and in my career, particularly to Bianca, my son Jaxson, my parents and extended family. Thank you also to my manager Braith Anasta.

“And finally, thank you to the boys, and everyone at the club, we have an exciting future ahead.”

Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster. Picture: NRL Photos

Munster has represented the Storm in 174 games since making his NRL debut in 2014, scoring 279 points for the club.

He has also played 174 State of Origin matches for Queensland and four Tests with the Kangaroos.

Storm chairman and owner Matt Tripp said in a statement: “We know this was a huge decision for Cameron and Bianca to make, particularly with family based in Queensland.

“Cameron will always be a Queenslander, but we are pleased he now calls Melbourne home as well.

“Cameron has matured a lot on and off the field over the last 12 months. He has worked extremely hard in the off-season to get himself into shape and has proven he is one of the best players in the NRL competition again this season, winning the Storm Player of the Year Award and Dally M five-eighth player of the year in the NRL team of the year.

“Most importantly, Cameron has never been in a better place in his life, he is happy, healthy and settled with his young family, and we are thrilled he has decided to remain with the Storm and will become a one club player.

“We are so lucky to have a player like Cameron – a generational player – committed to our Club and our city for another four years.”