2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Keary, Whitehead to Catalans; Raiders sign English forward

Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary will join Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead at Catalans next season after deciding to play on in the Super League.

Keary, who has won premierships with South Sydney and the Roosters, while representing NSW, Australia and Ireland, had announced his retirement earlier this year but will now continue playing in France.

I am really excited to join Catalans Dragons. I am looking forward to contributing to the club’s success.” said Keary, who has signed a two-year deal with Catalans, whose coach Steve McNamara previously worked at the Roosters.

The 32-year-old playmaker won premierships with Souths in 2014 and the Roosters in 2018 and 2019, made his Origin debut in 2020 and played for the Kangaroos in 2018.

Keary represented his Irish heritage at the 2022 World Cup and will still be playing when the next World Cup is staged in the Southern Hemisphere in 2026.

McNamara said: “Luke will be a sensational addition to our team next season. He is an outstanding player, leader and person. We are very happy he has chosen to come to Dragons in 2025.”

England second-rower Elliott Whitehead will also join Catalans next season after agreeing to return to Perpignan on a one-year deal after a decade in the NRL.

Whitehead played for the Dragons from 2013 to 2015 before joining the Raiders in 2016 and has played 198 NRL matches, as well as 36 Tests, including the 2017 and 2022 World Cups.

His departure coincides with the arrival of fellow English forward Matty Nicholson, who will join the Raiders on a new three-year deal from the beginning of the 2025 season.

Nicholson made his Super League debut for Wigan in 2022, before joining Warrington in 2023, where he has gone on to cement himself in the starting line-up under the coaching of Sam Burgess.