In order to sign with the Canterrbury Bulldogs, Josh Curran was formally released by the New Zealand Warriors from the last year of his contract.
According to a report that surfaced a few weeks ago and gained further traction yesterday, Curran has committed to the Canterbury Bulldogs till 2024.
He signed a two-year contract with Belmore that will keep him there through the end of 2025.
The Bulldogs, who re-signed promising winger Blake Wilson for a two-year contract on Wednesday, hinted at potential news to come for the team via its Twitter account, X.
The Warriors revealed in a statement that they had given permission for Curran to negotiate with other clubs after it became apparent they would not be able to re-sign him beyond the end of 2024.
“We recently advised Josh that it was unlikely we would be able to re-sign him beyond next year,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said in a statement.
“We told him we were happy for him to see out his contract but if he did find an option that provided him with longer term security to please come back and talk to us.
“We’re pleased for him that he has found a new club and he leaves with our best wishes. We really appreciate the contribution Josh has made in his five seasons with us.”
It comes with coach Andrew Webster looking to promote more young local talent into a Warriors’ side who finished in the top four and made a preliminary final to shock pundits during 2023.
Curran, who debuted with the Sydney Roosters in 2019, has played 60 of his 61 NRL matches for the Warriors, but found himself used predominantly in a bench role during 2023.
Able to play in the middle and on the edge, it’s little surprise the Bulldogs have targeted his services.
The club have already made multiple signings in the backs for 2024, but after their forward pack came up short this year, the inclusion of Curran, to go with the likely addition of Siosiua Taukeiaho who is returning from the English Super League, and the potential of Ryan Matterson joining in a direct player swap with Josh Addo-Carr will give fans plenty of reason for hope.
The Bulldogs, in confirming the news, said Curran was at Bulldogs HQ this morning to sign the deal.
“From the first time I saw Josh Curran play, he looked like a Bulldog to me,” the club’s director of football Phil Gould said in a club statement.
“Once he became available, we just had to sign him up. At 24 years of age, his best football is clearly in front of him. We are very excited to have Josh in our Club”.
