Official Dogs sign Leo Thompson (2026)

ElMagicElMasri said:
www.smh.com.au

NRL 2025 signing: Canterbury Bulldogs secure Newcastle Knights star Leo Thompson on four-year deal after rejecting Canberra Raiders offer

Leo Thompson has knocked back a rich offer from the Raiders and a lucrative extension on the table at Newcastle to sign with the Bulldogs in the hope of winning a premiership.
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The Bulldogs have secured a major new year’s coup, landing the services of Newcastle prop forward Leo Thompson on a four-year deal from 2026.

The Kiwi international, regarded as one of the most improved players in the NRL over the past two years, knocked back a lucrative offer from the Canberra Raiders worth around $3.5 million over four years to accept a deal of lesser value at the Bulldogs.

The 24-year-old’s decision to leave Newcastle at the end of his current deal means he will leave $200,000 on the table in the form of an upgrade in 2025, which was conditional on extending his contract.

Thompson on Thursday informed Canterbury officials of his decision to head to Belmore in 2026. Thompson was swayed by the trajectory of the Bulldogs, who finished in the top six in 2024, and believes they can challenge for premierships over the tenure of his deal.


Thompson has also been impressed by the significant development of a number of Bulldogs players under coach Cameron Ciraldo, and thinks his game can go to another level under his tutelage.

The Knights expressed a willingness to increase their offer to Thompson to keep him at the club, but were told money was not his primary motivation.


Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions said Thompson had raised concerns with Newcastle officials about his development at the Knights and the club’s roster management.

Thompson’s impending departure is another major blow for recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan, who was brought to the club to overhaul a roster that has become skewed under the salary cap.


The Knights recently missed out on former Newcastle junior Jonah Pezet, who turned down a four-year, $2.5 million deal to re-sign with Melbourne.

The Raiders, who saw the front-rower as a long-term replacement for Josh Papalii, put forward an impressive pitch to lure Thompson back to the club at which he played as a junior.


While Thompson, whose girlfriend hails from Canberra, was excited by the prospect of linking with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, he took less to play in Sydney. He also had strong interest from the Dolphins.

The 23-year-old will join premiership-winning Roosters back-rower Sitili Tupouniua, English Super League prop Tom Amone, Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya and Knights outside back Enari Tuala at the Bulldogs in 2025 after another impressive recruitment drive.

Thompson has informed the Knights of his desire to see out the final year of his contract in 2025 before departing in 2026.

The Bulldogs have long been searching for an enforcer to lead their forward pack, but have resisted the urge to splash cash on the likes of Stefano Utoikamanu and Addin Fonua-Blake.

The club could further bolster its forward stocks with promising Gold Coast prop Josiah Pahulu.

The Bulldogs have tabled the front-rower a two-year deal from 2026. Pahulu has asked for permission to leave immediately following the club’s decision not to play him in the final game of the season – a match that would have triggered a $40,000 bonus clause in his contract for playing 20 games in his rookie season.
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Sends a message to Stuart and belief in his coaching capabilities.
 
Massive signing. And speaks volumes about what we’re building. Wants to play under Ciraldo as he’s seen the improvement in player under him. We can challenge for premierships for contact period.

Lol at people suggesting Gus had lost his aura “missing out on signing players”. Players we “missed out” on weren’t offered deals. We’re no longer beggars. We CHOOSE who plays at our club. We have an international player taking unders to play for us.

It’s been a journey. But we’re fucking back baby!
 
Bulldogsforlife23 said:
Major NRL signing as Bulldogs secure Knights star on four-year deal
Michael Chammas

By Michael Chammas
January 2, 2025 — 12.40pm
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The Bulldogs have secured a major new year’s coup, landing the services of Newcastle prop forward Leo Thompson on a four-year deal from 2026.
The Kiwi international, regarded as one of the most improved players in the NRL over the past two years, knocked back a lucrative offer from the Canberra Raiders worth around $3.5 million over four years to accept a deal of lesser value at the Bulldogs.
The 24 year olds decision to leave Newcastle
means he will leave $200,000 on the table in the form of an upgrade in 2025, which was conditional on extending his contract.

Thompson on Thursday informed Canterbury officials of his decision to head to Belmore in 2026. Thompson was swayed by the trajectory of the Bulldogs, who finished in the top six in 2024, and believes they can challenge for premierships over the tenure of his deal.

Thompson has also been impressed by the significant development of a number of Bulldogs players under coach Cameron Ciraldo, and thinks his game can go to another level under his tutelage.

The Knights expressed a willingness to increase their offer to Thompson to keep him at the club, but were told money was not his primary motivation.

Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions said Thompson had raised concerns with Newcastle officials about his development at the Knights and the club’s roster management.

Thompson’s impending departure is another major blow for recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan, who was brought to the club to overhaul a roster that has become skewed under the salary cap.


The Knights recently missed out on former Newcastle junior Jonah Pezet, who turned down a four-year, $2.5 million deal to re-sign with Melbourne.

The Raiders, who saw the front-rower as a long-term replacement for Josh Papalii, put forward an impressive pitch to lure Thompson back to the club at which he played as a junior.

While Thompson, whose girlfriend hails from Canberra, was excited by the prospect of linking with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, he took less to play in Sydney. He also had strong interest from the Dolphins.

The 23-year-old will join premiership-winning Roosters back-rower Sitili Tupouniua, English Super League prop Tom Amone, Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya and Knights outside back Enari Tuala at the Bulldogs in 2025 after another impressive recruitment drive.
Thompson has informed the Knights of his desire to see out the final year of his contract in 2025 before departing in 2026.

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The Bulldogs have long been searching for an enforcer to lead their forward pack, but have resisted the urge to splash cash on the likes of Stefano Utoikamanu and Addin Fonua-Blake.

The club could further bolster its forward stocks with promising Gold Coast prop Josiah Pahulu.

The Bulldogs have tabled the front-rower a two-year deal from 2026. Pahulu has asked for permission to leave immediately following the club’s decision not to play him in the final game of the season – a match that would have triggered a $40,000 bonus clause in his contract for playing 20 games in his rookie season.
Click to expand...
Strong indicator we are a club heading in the right direction and on the rise. Says a fair bit about Thompson too and his belief in the coaching staff and club.
 
speedy2460 said:
I heard that Thompson's brother may be part of the signing for 2026.
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That would be pretty cool to have 2 brothers teaming up in the front row trying to out do each other.
I haven't seen his brother play yet but pretty cool especially being identical twins.
 
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He's a good player. The price will be the sticking point but the fact that's he's rejected the Raiders to sign with us for less is a great sign that he's coming for the right reasons. And it confirms that we're a club on the rise that players want to come and join.

Hopefully Thompson wasn't signed for crazy money and hopefully he has another strong season for Newcastle to justify the hype.
 
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