NRL side Newcastle Knights have announced the signings of England Rugby League duo Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, the pair will both depart their respective clubs, Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants, to embark on a new challenge in Australia’s top-flight.
Wigan centre Pearce-Paul arrived at the DW Stadium from London Broncos back in 2019 and has since made 38 appearances for the club.
His breakthrough season came in 2021 where he finished the campaign as the club’s top-offloader, and following another impressive display in 2022, Pearce-Paul was rewarded for his performances with a call-up to the England Rugby League World Cup squad.
He made his full international debut during England’s 94-4 Group A win over Greece at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, a game in which he also claimed his first international try.
Huddersfield’s Pryce meanwhile has risen through the youth system at the John Smith’s Stadium and has quickly become an integral part of Ian Watson’s side.
20-year-old Pryce, who is the son of former England and Great Britain great Leon, is capable of playing in both the halves and at full-back, and has taken to Super League by storm since his debut campaign in 2021.
Like Pearce-Paul, Pryce’s performances were rewarded with international recognition after he was selected for Paul Anderson’s England Knights squad in 2021. He scored his first try for the Knights against Jamaica in October of that year, before starring against Scotland twelve months later.
Commenting on the club’s acquisition of the pair, Newcastle Knights Director of Football, Peter Parr, said: “We are very excited to be able to attract two of the brightest young talents from Super League to join our club.
“We believe both players have a skillset that will make an impression on the National Rugby League once they arrive.”
Wigan Executive Director Kris Radlinski commented: "We presented Kai with a very attractive and long-term contract. Ultimately, Kai's desire to go to the NRL was the determining factor.
"Kai is committed to Wigan for the 2023 season before leaving for Australia at the end of the year. We expect a big year from Kai and then we will wish him well on his new adventure."
Finally, Huddersfield Managing Director Richard Thewlis added: "Whilst there is obvious disappointment at the club, it is also a great accolade for Will to be offered an opportunity whilst so young and for the coaches involved in our player development model and indeed everyone here who has been involved with Will from his first a day as a 16-year-old."
