The contract of Wests Tigers’ superstar signing Jarome Luai includes an option in his favour that could allow the playmaker to leave the joint venture club after just two seasons.
In a major development heading into next season, this masthead can reveal Luai will become a free agent following his first season at the Wests Tigers after the club agreed to player options in the final three years of his five-year contract.
Jarome Luai and Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall.Credit: Getty
Luai’s deal, worth a reported $6 million over five years, is guaranteed in the first two years but allows him to leave if things don’t work out the way he hopes in each of the following three years.
It means rival clubs will be free to negotiate with Luai potentially as early as November 1 next year over a move for the 2027 season, and also that he will effectively be coming off contract at the same time as impressive rookie sensation Lachlan Galvin.
Luai has the option to remain a free agent on November 1 every year thereafter until his Tigers contract expires at the end of the 2029 season.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity told this masthead that the request for the player options was first presented to former chief executive Justin Pascoe.
Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary after winning their fourth premiership together.Credit: Getty Images
Pascoe, who moved on as chief executive in December 2023, opened negotiations with Luai and his management but knocked back the request to insert the player options in the contract. The former Tigers boss declined to comment when contacted on Thursday.
Pascoe’s successor, Shane Richardson, agreed to the clauses to get the Luai deal over the line in the face of interest from the Panthers, Bulldogs and a Queensland-based team. Richardson declined to comment.
