Australian and NSW State of Origin back-rower Beau Scott is reportedly set to sign a three-year NRL deal from next season with Parramatta.
The 30-year-old Newcastle forward is poised to trigger a get-out clause in his Knights contract to return to Sydney in 2016 for family reasons.
Fairfax Media is reporting Scott has requested to leave the Knights on compassionate grounds because his son requires treatment at the Children’s Hospital in Westmead.
While the Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra had expressed interest, the Eels look set to lure Scott to Parramatta.
According to the report, it is understood the Tigers and Dragons had offered more money, but Scott is believed to have decided to link with Parramatta because of the proximity to the Children’s Hospital and a view the club is entering a ‘premiership window’.
Having already landed Manly playmaker Kieran Foran for 2016, on top of the earlier signing of former Sea Eagles Anthony Watmough, the Eels will add strength and experience to their forward pack for next season.
Meanwhile, Dane Gagai has signed a two-year contract extension with Newcastle that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.
The talented centre has been one the Knights’ most consistent players since joining from Brisbane following his release by the Broncos due to disciplinary reasons midway through the 2012 season.
With Wayne Bennett leaving the Knights at the end of last year, there had been speculation the 24-year-old Queenslander might rejoin his old club.
However, Gagai said he owed the Knights for the loyalty they had showed to him since his arrival and that was the key factor in his why he opted to stay.
“This was a really big decision for me and my family,” Gagai said.
“I owe the Knights a lot because they gave me a chance when Anthony Griffin let me go in 2012.
“But I still had a number of factors to consider in making this decision with my family living in Queensland.
“I am really happy the decision has been made because I am enjoying my football and I love it here.”
