Newcastle have lost one of their most promising local talents with back-rower Joel Edwards announcing he’s signed a three-year NRL deal with Canberra.

The Cessnock junior had been close to committing long-term to the Knights mid-season.

But with the team then in the midst of a form slump and languishing near the bottom of the table, new coach Wayne Bennett put all contract negotiations on hold.

The Raiders seized the opportunity to sign the hard-hitting 24-year-old, who has played 45 matches for the Knights since making his debut in 2010.

Raiders boss Don Furner is excited by Edwards’s decision to move to Canberra in 2013, when he will join a strong forward pack that includes impressive youngsters Shaun Fensom, Josh Papalii and Joel Thompson.

“Joel has been fantastic for the Knights this season and we’re looking forward to him joining us,” Furner said.

“He’s a young player on the rise and, at age 24, he’s just starting to work into his NRL career and we’re looking forward to him continuing his progress with the Raiders.”