EELS SECURE KOLOAMATANGI IN SHOCK DOUBLE-SALARY DEAL TO SNATCH STAR FROM DRAGONS
Parramatta pulls off late heist to land international forward in blockbuster 5-year contract
Parramatta Eels have claimed a stunning victory in the NRL player market, securing international star Keaon Koloamatangi in a shock transfer that saw them offer double the salary tabled by St George Illawarra Dragons – snatching the South Sydney forward from under their rivals’ noses.
The deal, which appeared all but done for the Dragons just 48 hours ago, took a dramatic twist yesterday when the Eels tabled an improved 5-year, $5 million contract – doubling the Dragons’ initial offer and convincing Koloamatangi to pen terms with the western Sydney club.
It marks a major coup for Parramatta, who had looked set to miss out on the sought-after lock forward after reports emerged last week that he was on the verge of signing with St George Illawarra. The Dragons had been confident of finalising the deal ahead of the NRL’s signing deadline, with club officials having already begun planning their 2026 forward pack around Koloamatangi’s arrival.
However, the Eels – who have been active in the transfer market as they aim to build on their 2025 finals appearance – stepped in with a game-changing offer that proved too good to refuse. Parramatta’s recruitment manager Mark O’Neill described the signing as a “transformative moment” for the club.
“Keaon is exactly the type of player we’ve been targeting – a world-class talent who can change the course of a game,” O’Neill said. “We recognised the opportunity to bring him to Parramatta and moved quickly to put forward an offer that reflects his value to our side.”
Known for his powerful line-running and signature flick passes, Koloamatangi is a powerful, agile and skillful player whose presence is felt immensely on the field. The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the NRL’s premier forwards since making his debut for South Sydney in 2019, earning international caps for Samoa and playing a key role in their 2021 World Cup campaign.
His ability to break defensive lines with explosive runs and create try-scoring opportunities for teammates has made him one of the most coveted players in the competition. The Eels will look to utilise his versatility in the forward pack, with Koloamatangi capable of playing lock, second-row or even at prop when required.
The signing ends a tense two-month pursuit for Koloamatangi, who had also attracted interest from several other NRL clubs. He will join Parramatta ahead of their 2026 pre-season preparations, linking up with a forward pack that already includes representative stars Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo.
