Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk inks $2 million Sydney Roosters NRL deal
Cooper Cronk of the Storm celebrates.Source: Getty Images
COOPER Cronk will be revealed as a Rooster on Monday.
Confirming one of rugby league’s worst kept secrets, the tri colours will announce the signing of Cronk on a two-year deal.
Foxsports.com.au understands the deal is worth around $2 million.
Cronk is expected to break his silence on Monday’s NRL360 on Fox League at 7.30pm.
Since announcing earlier this year he would leave Melbourne and move to Sydney to be closer to fiance Fox Sportspresenter Tara Rushton, Cronk’s signature has been heavily sought after.
An Origin and Australian star, Cronk is a proven match winner.
While the likes of Cronulla and South Sydney were keen on the No.7, the Roosters won the race.
The decision makers at the Roosters feel Cronk is the missing piece to their premiership puzzle.
But the deal could cost them.
Financially the deal is significant but culturally the decision to sign the champion No.7 has caused a stir in Bondi.
Arguably the club’s most significant signing since Sonny Bill Williams in 2012, Cronk joins the Roosters on lucrative deal.
With big money comes lofty expectations, especially when you consider the impact it’s had on their roster.
While the Roosters want Mitchell Pearce to stay on next season, his future remains unclear.
A favourite among the playing group, Pearce is within his right to see out the remaining two years on his contract which the club wants him to do but a demotion to the bench could see him request a release.
The powerbrokers at the club clearly think Cronk is worth the risk despite turning 34 in December.
The decision to play on next season stunned many with those close to him expecting he would hang up the boots after 14 seasons in the top grade with the Storm.
But still in career best form, Cronk isn’t ready to retire.
With his manager declaring a few weeks ago that Cronk was keen to explore his options in Sydney, the Roosters were always going to get their man.
A powerful club with strong business connections, Cronk’s desire to grow his business portfolio in Sydney only added to the allure of the Roosters.
The Test star is yet to speak publicly about the move and has remained silent on his future since the Storm’s 2017 premiership victory over North Queensland several weeks back.
The Roosters face the Storm on June 29, five days after Origin II.
Replies
Seriously, No cap at all.
It's a sombrero. Even Fletch and co openly state it.
The NRL joke continues. Todd Greenburg appearing at a comedy store near you.
This is great news for the NRL; and there is no reason why Easts cannot keep Pearce; and Cordner, Napa, Friend, Fergo (god bless him he's been through a bit), Keary, and young Teddy. Have i missed anyone?
We may pick up Friend or NAPA out of this. Great result for us.
Would prefer a prop to bend the line Squiz
NRL should be ashamed. BOTH origin halves in the same team. Just ridiculous.
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