David Fifita has sent shockwaves throughout the NRL world by announcing he will join the Sydney Roosters in 2025. The second rower has opted to walk out on Gold Coast at year’s end and also turned his back on three-time defending premiers Penrith.
Fifita informed Roosters officials on Thursday that he intends to take up a four-year deal reportedly worth around $3.3 million. The Tri Colours were strapped for cash and on the hunt for a marquee signing for next season, with the impending departures of Joey Manu and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii at the end of the season.
While veterans Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will also leave the club at the end of the year, with Warea-Hargreaves heading abroad and Keary hanging up his boots. But many were of the belief that Fifita would link up with the Panthers as they were offering more money per season than the Tri Colours and also have the allure of winning a potential premiership.
But one man who is thrilled that he snubbed the defending premiers for Bondi is Roosters lock Victor Radley, who says Fifita brings the club some serious X-factor. “You want quality players, and (Fifita) is a quality player,” Radley told AAP on Thursday.
“He’s got the footwork, he’s a powerhouse. Fast. You don’t have many players that do all those things. He’s got the X-factor.”
