‘Forging something special’: Walsh’s Broncos homecoming confirmed

Reece Walsh’s return to the Broncos has officially been confirmed, as the star returns to where it all began until the end of the 2025 season.

It’s official. Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Reece Walsh’s Broncos homecoming has been confirmed with the young gun signing a three-year deal beginning in 2023.

The 19-year-old will remain at the Red Hill club until the end of the 2025 season following a spell at the Warriors in which he stamped his authority as one of the game’s rising stars.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Walsh came desperately close to making his Origin debut in 2021 but was ruled out due to injury and was included in Billy Slater’s extended squad this year.

The young gun begun his rugby league journey with the Brisbane club as a 13-year-old, before departing to join the New Zealand club.

“Reece’s return is great news for everyone at the Broncos and for all our supporters and members — we’ll get him back home next year,” coach Kevin Walters said in a club statement.

“He’s a terrific young footballer and someone who has always belonged in Brisbane so it’s fantastic that he is coming back to where he belongs.

“Reece came through the Broncos system from a young age and the club has always considered him to be one of our most promising talents.

“He returns to us with some great NRL experience under his belt and rejoins the club at a time when we are forging something special.

“A number of other emerging players who’ve come through the Broncos system have also committed long-term to the club in recent times and it’s great that Reece has chosen to do the same.”

Walsh is expected to crack Origin sooner rather than later. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Walsh becomes another member of the Broncos exciting group of young guns including Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Cory Paix, Kobe Hetherington and Jordan Riki.

Also officially announced was the Warriors’ signing of Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from 2023, who has been released from the final year of his deal at the Raiders to return to New Zealand next season.

26-year-old Nicoll-Klokstad left the Warriors for Canberra in 2019, but now returns home for compassionate reasons on a three-year deal.

“Having Charnze back with the Vodafone Warriors is going to be tremendous for us as a club and also for him personally,” said Warriors CEO Cameron George in a statement.

“He brings undoubted qualities as one of the best fullbacks in the game as well as so much off the field as a wonderful young man.

“He’s so excited about coming back to the Vodafone Warriors, being home and being closer to his family.”

Originally published as ‘Forging something special’: Walsh’s Broncos homecoming confirmed