Rugby league’s worst kept secret is finally out after the Dragons confirmed star hooker Damien Cook has signed a two-year deal with the club.
Cook, 32, will return to the club he made his NRL debut for the in 2013 next season on a two year deal.
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Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan said “it’s wonderful to have a player of Damien’s calibre return to our club.”
“His qualities as a footballer and person are top class and he adds plenty of experience and strike to our roster over the coming seasons.”
Cook’s decision to leave South Sydney, a club he’s spent the best part of a decade at, was born from the club not wishing to offer the veteran hooker a multi-year deal.
The hooker’s current deal is not set to expire until the end of 2025, though South Sydney were willing to let him leave early – freeing up much needed salary cap space to strengthen the rest of their side, with Royce Hunt and Euan Aitken reportedly set to join Englishman Lewis Dodds as the club’s 2025 recruits.
Cook has urged the Bunnies to not enter the transfer market to find his replacement, believing 23-year-old No.9 Peter Mamouzelos is ready for a starting NRL berth.
Looming departure not worrying Souths | 00:39