Kalyn Ponga confirms $5m mega deal to remain with Newcastle Knights

Kalyn Ponga has announced his next move as the Knights superstar finally cleared up rampant speculation about his future.

Kalyn Ponga is staying put. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Kalyn Ponga has agreed to stay in Newcastle, ending speculation about his future by confirming he will remain at the Knights for a further five years.

The deal — which The Daily Telegraph reports is worth upwards of $5 million — will keep Ponga in red and blue until at least the end of 2027.

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The news was announced at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, just days after a fresh furore exploded around Ponga’s contract situation.

On Easter Sunday, during the Knights’ clash with St George, The Daily Telegraph reported the Knights had pulled their three-year contract extension offer as negotiations hit a rough patch. Coach Adam O’Brien then rubbished suggestions Ponga was halfway out the door in the post-match press conference.

Kalyn Ponga is staying in Newcastle. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

The Knights had reportedly offered Ponga a five-year contract on Friday but pulled the deal because the player’s father Andre wanted authority over when it would be announced publicly, not the club.

More reports emerged this week about a strained relationship between Andre and the club but he was by his son’s side when his new deal was announced, along with O’Brien and Knights head of football Danny Buderus.

It means Ponga has rejected Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins, who will become the NRL’s 17th team next season.

A recent meeting between Ponga and Bennett sparked speculation the superstar fullback could abandon the Knights and head home to Queensland but the master coach has missed out on a prized target, with Newcastle thankful their best player has agreed to keep strutting his stuff in the Hunter.

A clause in Ponga’s existing contract gave him until Round 10 to trigger an option in his favour for the remaining two years of the deal, but as rumours spread there was uncertainty over whether he would stay or go.

The 24-year-old finally put the speculation to bed by confirming he will remain at the club he joined in 2018.

The new deal with the Knights comes into effect from 2023, overriding all existing clauses and options in Ponga’s current contract.

Ponga isn’t going anywhere. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

In a statement released on the Knights’ website, Ponga said: “I’m grateful for the huge amount of time and hard work it has taken to get this new five-year deal completed, especially my family and key people from the club.

“My teammates have been awesome, they have shown me every respect and patience, without any pressure throughout the negotiations.

“We are a very connected group and I am confident there are great things ahead for us.

“It has taken a long time to get to get to this position, I have always said big decisions like these should not be rushed and we have taken the necessary time required.

“There has been a lot of reporting and opinions throughout the last few weeks, which I understand completely, and respect is a part of the game.

“I would like to thank all of those who have given me the respect of allowing me the space and time I needed to come to this decision – I am excited to have it done and now I can get on with contributing to the club and city that I love.”