A 27-year-old fullback yet to make his NRL debut has emerged as a potential replacement for North Queensland veteran Matt Bowen next season.

Hezron Murgha has signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys from 2014 after 68 games in the Queensland Cup, the club announced on Thursday.

The Northern Pride fullback, who has scored 13 tries in 15 matches this year, will begin NRL pre-season training in November.

The signing precedes any announcement regarding the future of 261-game veteran Bowen, whose deteriorating knees threaten to end his NRL career.

The Cowboys have given the 31-year-old the next few weeks to prove he can handle a modified training program before deciding whether to re-sign the crowd favourite.

North Queensland’s general manager of football, Peter Parr, said Murgha had earned an NRL contract after persevering with his rugby league career.

“He’s another example that just because you don’t make it as a young footballer, it doesn’t mean your dreams are finished,” Parr said in a statement.

“”He’s kept at it, been part of a fine set-up at the Pride which has helped to develop his game and now can take his skills to the next level.”