Jack Wighton has reportedly shunned offers from the Dolphins and the Raiders to sign with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a four-year deal.
Channel 9s Danny Weidler tweeted: “Jack Wighton is joining Souths.”
Wighton was offered a $4.4 million four year deal to finish his career in Canberra and $4 million over four years to join Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins.
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However, South Sydney’s reported four-year deal worth $900,0000 a season appears to have lured Wighton to the Redfern club.
Wighton has close ties to Souths stars Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker from their time in representative teams for the Blues and Kangaroos.
Wighton is also close friends with Walker and Mitchell with the trio sharing the same manager.
Wighton’s signature is seen to have the potential to effect the South Sydney squad with a number of off-contract players potentially being forced to move on to accommodate Wighton.
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Souths chief executive Blake Solly played down the potential for Wighton’s recruitment to have a ripple effect on the club’s roster.
He echoed the opinion of head coach Jason Demetriou who said the club won’t make any decisions that have a negative impact on the club’s current roster.
“Our coaching and football department do not get the credit they deserve for their recruitment efforts and development of players,’ Solly said to News Corp.
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“A number of our first-grade squad were unwanted by their previous clubs, joined us for an opportunity — and are now playing career best football.
“In Thursday’s squad were Taane Milne (Warriors), Isaiah Tass (Broncos), Michael Chee Kam (Tigers), Jacob Host (Dragons), Hame Sele (Panthers) and Jed Cartwright (Panthers); who were great in the win and have also made a huge contribution in the last few seasons.
“Those players and our coaches never seem to get the wraps they deserve.
“We believe we’re building something special at the club, and want to keep as many of the current squad together for as long as we possibly can.”
