If nothing else, it's a big payday for them when the NRL start trying to tempt him back in about two years' time.



No criticism of Salford there. They've done very well to try and secure him on the best deal possible. But these days, I don't trust the players or their agents when it comes to respecting contracts. Lots see them through, but plenty don't,

I do agree that the 8 year but can probably be ignored. I doubt he’s signed for that length of time without any options to break the deal at certain points but it’s a good news story for Salford and the league. They’re doing a good job at Salford of picking out those players who are supremely talented but need a fresh start. One of my gripes in the last season or two is the line that gets thrown around pretty often, that they do it on a shoe string. I can’t buy that with the players they have. They may be cheaper than they were at the point of that player being on their career best deal but they’ll still be costing a fair amount. It’s good to see that they are able to increase their spend.

They're certainly a team to watch, though quite a few of them were at walking-past half way through last Sunday's game. Not sure how many of those will be first-graders, of course.

They turned down £170,000 last week from an NRL club so I believe



There's no way it's an 8yr deal without NRL buy out clauses etc.

Unless he's on 300/400k a year (and Marquee, sponsorship paying for it) he will also be susceptible to being unsettled.



If someone comes knocking with 350/400 plus as a transfer it would be very hard to turn down

Also, lf someone wants him that hard then the money they'll be offering will deffo unsettle him.

Congrats to Salford - Croft is a fantastic halfback to watch and great for SL that he's here for a while. Surely won't be eight years though - the length of contract is just a bit strange. Why commit for that long to any club if you were as good as Croft?

I wonder if the eight year contract is a bit like Chelsea have been doing in football- as a device to spread costs over the lifetime of the contract (although I know with the salary cap it cannot be exactly the same but other things such as image rights etc may come into play) and also to ensure that any club wanting to sign him have to pay a hefty fee due to the amount of time the contract would have to run. Some smart accounting going on there I think - it is the only reason I can see someone signing an eight yeear contract which is really odd in RL.

Excellent news for Salford and SL.

Agreed

He must like the night life in Manchester ,read that our overseas players are based there as well.

Not trying to be critical about this contract renewal but I'd be absolutely staggered if he even stays for another 3 years. Its good business from Salford because it will ensure a big transfer fee should he go back to the NRL as clubs can't wait for his contract to expire.



I've no doubt there will be clauses within the contract if certain financials are met and £250-300k would be a hell of a lot of money for Salford.



He's a great player and I simply can't see him not going back to the NRL in the next 3 years.

Agreed great business for Salford but if he’s still there in 7/8 years I’ll eat my hat

I said to a Salford supporting mate that I still wouldn't bet against him being at one of the big four SL clubs or in the NRL come 2024.

Matt Shaw reporting its a four year deal with four years of options. By that logic Bevan French signed a four year deal with Wigan.



It is interesting that it's a marquee deal. First, where is the money coming from? If its from new investment/income then great. If not, hopefully its not a gamble that backfires on them.



Have they restarted their academy? I noticed they played Wigan at the weekend but was under the impression they abandoned their youth system a few years ago due to costs.

They are attempting to rebuild their youth pathways.

Have they not got a new backer he wants to buy the A J BELL stadium.

Why is good for SL? Its not like they have tied down prime Thurston to a 7 year contract. They have tied down a halfback who was absolutely terrible in the NRL. Go ask the Broncos fans what they think of him. Specifically his kicking game



All this says is "are you a terrible NRL halfback?" come over here and we will give you 300K aus dollars a year for 7 years

No it doesn’t, it says the quality of SL is poor. Look at the quality of overseas signings at all clubs and they wouldn’t have got a sniff 20 years ago.

How is it good for SL as you claimed, that a terrible NRL halfback gets one of, if not the biggest contracts money wise in SL history?



It just makes SL look even more of a joke than it already is

Because he is a quality player in SL.



Some players suit SL more than they do the NRL. Some fantastic players have struggled to adapt to SL, been disappointing over the years gone back and gone very well in the NRL.



He is a quality entertaining Super League player and it is good for the competition that a proven quality SL player is remaining in the competition.

Because, like it or not, he is one of the better players in the competition. Given that he has signed for Salford gives them a better opportunity of challenging the bigger teams, which is good for the sport. He will not be paid one of the biggest contracts in SL history, Salford haven’t got the financial resources to pay him a king’s ransom.

Wigan Warriors can confirm that both Harvie Hill and Zach Eckersley will head to London Broncos RL on one-month loan deals.



Good moves, they are both multiple injuries away from being needed and it gives them more experience against grown men

Both don’t quite look ready for SL, particularly Hill, but both need to be playing and at a level above where they would be if they stayed at the club.



Great move and one that has served us well consistently when it comes to bridging the gap.

Reigning man of steel signing a new deal isn’t good for super league?



Give up mate.

You are trying to educate an idiot, it is impossible.

Wigan Warriors can confirm that both Junior Nsemba and Jacob Douglas have joined Whitehaven on one-month loan deals.