Josh Addo-Carr is a poised for an NRL return after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with Parramatta.
Addo-Carr secured his future at a second meeting with Parramatta officials on Thursday afternoon. New coach Jason Ryles and general manager of football Mark O’Neill - who have worked with Addo-Carr at the Storm and Tigers respectively - had previously met with the premiership-winning winger.
The latest gathering was a chance for other Parramatta powerbrokers to do their due diligence and ensure “The Foxx” would be a good cultural fit for the club.
Addo-Carr has been in career limbo since being sacked by Canterbury after testing positive to cocaine at a roadside police drugs test. The premiership-winning winger maintains he has never knowingly taken drugs.
While Addo-Carr has been linked to a move to the Dragons, Parramatta will be his next destination. Ryles has taken over a backline in transition after the departures of Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo and Blaize Talagi.
Josh Addo-Carr appears to be heading to Parramatta.Credit: NRL Photos
Working on a building site during his sabbatical, Addo-Carr conceded having his $500,000-per-year Canterbury contract ripped up was a “reality check”.
“I’m only 29, I love playing football,” he said earlier this month.
“My body is in a good position right now. I’m loving life, I just need to find another club. I know I will, I’ll keep chipping away.
“I won’t forget to be grateful for what I have. It’s a little reality check that there are people out there labouring, digging holes and that kind of stuff. They need to do what they need to do to provide for their family and themselves, it’s a tough time at the moment.
“To give back, brings you back to reality.”
Josh Addo-Carr during happier days with the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
If he joins the Eels, he won’t be the only former Bulldog to do so. Promising Canterbury players Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani have also made the switch to their arch-rivals.
Addo-Carr is adamant he has plenty of good football in front of him and craves another shot at grand final glory.
“That’s why you play the game, to achieve the biggest thing, and that’s a premiership,” he said.
“I love being a part of the team environment, being part of football. I love achieving things, you only need to look at what we did at the Bulldogs this year, I loved being part of that.
“We got through the tough times and came out the other end. The club is going in the right direction. Just how much fun we have and how hard we work for each other, that’s what I love.
“Hard work brings teams together and that’s what is so enjoyable.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.