The Parramatta Eels have received a huge boost, with star five-eighth Dylan Brown extending with the club until at least the end of the 2025 season.
Brown’s extension was announced by the Eels on Monday morning, with an unprecedented option in the 22-year-old’s favour to remain at Parramatta until 2031.
According to the Daily Telegraph, if triggered it is set to be the longest deal in NRL history, eclipsing the six years Canberra Raiders star Joseph Tapine has left on his contract.
The news is a welcome relief for Eels fans, with halfback Mitchell Moses off-contract at the end of next year and still yet to commit to the club.
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Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos said re-signing both Brown and Moses remains a “priority” for the club.
“The priority was to lock both of them up and that remains the case,” Sarantinos said.
“We’re still very keen for (Moses) to be at the club long term and that’s our priority and the discussions are still continuing.”
Already a noted runner of the ball, Brown made significant leaps in his game last season to become a more dependable passing option alongside Moses.
Sarantino said Brown’s contract, which includes multiple staggered player options, was a byproduct of the uncertainty created by the new salary cap. It also gives the Eels the ability to reassess his deal in the future
“Dylan is obviously a great young man and has accomplished a fair bit already in his short career so far at the Eels,” he said.
“He’s played finals footy in each of his four seasons in first grade, played in a grand final and represented New Zealand at the recent Rugby League World Cup.
“He’s a young man, just 22, and has a long journey ahead in his NRL career.
“That journey can take many turns. There are several unknowns around the salary cap and given this deal extends beyond the current broadcast rights agreement, we wanted to give Dylan the flexibility within his contract to feel comfortable going forward.
“Everything Dylan has done in his first four years has given us the confidence that he will be a big, big part of the future of this club.
“We’re very comfortable where this deal is at.”
The 22-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career, helping take the Eels to a grand final while also impressing for New Zealand at the Rugby League World Cup.
“I left New Zealand to pursue an NRL career when I was 15, and the Eels have been home for me ever since. It’s been an amazing journey so far, and the club has an exciting future that I want to be part of for a long time,” Brown said.
“I’m grateful to be a part of this club, from Brad and the coaches to my teammates, all the staff, our members and fans, I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else.”
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“Dylan has just played the best season of his career helping us reach the Grand Final and earning him a representative spot for the Kiwis at the World Cup, and at just 22…
Read More: Transfer news, contracts, Dylan Brown re-signs, new deal, Parramatta Eels, 2022-12-19 08:48:00