The Newcastle Knights have officially released halfback and former captain Mitchell Pearce to finally end his NRL career.
The Newcastle Knights have granted Mitchell Pearce’s wish and released him from the final year of his contract to take up a deal at English Super League club Catalans Dragons.
Rumours had been spreading for the best part of a month after it was revealed that Pearce was being tapped to replace the retiring James Maloney in the south of France, having been offered a three-year deal. There were varying reports about how much the deal was worth, but Pearce is expected to earn between $1.5m and $2m with Catalans.
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The likes of Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks and Cowboys utility Scott Drinkwater have been linked to the now-vacant Newcastle No. 7 jersey as the Knights made Pearce’s exit official on Monday morning.
“The nib Newcastle Knights have agreed to grant Mitchell Pearce a release to join English Super League Club, Catalans Dragons,” a club statement read.
“Pearce requested a release from the final year of his current contract in late October, with both parties working through the process, making it effective immediately.
“The Knights would like to thank Mitchell for his significant contribution since joining the club in 2017, celebrating many highlights including 300 NRL games and back-to-back finals series.
“The club wishes Mitchell all the very best for his future.”
Pearce has played 309 NRL games, having spent 11 years with the Sydney Roosters before joining the Knights.
A veteran of 19 State of Origin matches for NSW and a member of the 2013 Roosters premiership-winning team, Pearce has achieved it all in his NRL career.
The 32-year-old was a much-maligned figure who had his fair share of off-field drama, including his texting scandal with a Knights staffer before last season.
It was a scandal that cost Pearce the Knights captaincy and he ultimately accepted a $250,000 pay cut to a reported $650,000 for the 2022 season.
Pearce was also at the centre of an infamous 2016 Australia Day video featuring a lewd act with a dog.
Pearce is at the back end of his career and played just 12 games in 2021 after a pectoral injury. His body won’t be put through the same stresses in the Super League.
The Knights have halves already at the club including former Dragon Adam Clune and ex-Cowboy Jake Clifford, while fullback Kalyn Ponga has long been tipped for a permanent move to five-eighth.
Andrew Johns, who has returned to the club as a part-time halves coach, also urged young fullback Tex Hoy to make the switch to five-eighth to give the Knights another option.
“Tex is a fullback but he’s got to commit to five-eighth,” Johns told the WWOS podcast.
“He won’t be playing fullback at the Knights while Kalyn (Ponga) is there.
“They’ve got a bit of depth at the Knights. Interesting to see what happens with Mitchell (Pearce).”
Originally published as Knights star Mitchell Pearce released from NRL contract for Catalans deal
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