Josh Addo-Carr appears to have been handed a lifeline over his NRL future.
Rumours have swirled in weeks following his sacking by Canterbury that several clubs had reportedly been interested in snapping up the flying winger.
But according to The Daily Telegraph, it appears he could be off to join Parramatta next season, with the outlet claiming the Eels have ‘won the bidding war’ for the sacked Bulldogs star.
The outlet adds that the New South Wales Origin star has ‘agreed personal terms’ to move to the club, following ‘successful high-powered talks’ between club powerbrokers and his management.
Speculation had gathered that Addo-Carr was most likely set to join St George Illawarra.
But it appears to have settled on a move to the Eels, with reports suggesting that he had met with Parramatta head coach Jason Ryles following his dismissal.
The pair had held a ‘one-on-one’ talks and it seems former Melbourne boss Ryles, has convinced Addo-Carr to join the club.
Addo-Carr had his $500,000-per-year contract torn up by the Bulldogs following his drug driving scandal.
The winger had accepted a $682 fine and a three-month driving suspension following the incident and had unsuccessfully pleaded his case to members of the Bulldogs’ board at Belmore after he was hit with a breach notice.
The 29-year-old winger has continued to maintain his innocence, claiming he had ‘not knowingly taken the drugs’.
While he could not change the mind of the Bulldogs board, Addo-Carr will reportedly still need to ‘prove himself’ to Eels bosses that he will not prove a risk to the club.
‘No matter where I go, I know I will bring value to the team,’ he said to the Daily Telegraph.
‘The hunger is still there.
‘I’ve won premierships at Melbourne, I know what it takes and wherever I go I will bring that winning mentality.’
But Addo-Carr has previously rejected any doubts that he wouldn’t make a return to the NRL for the 2025 season.
‘B***** oath I will be in the NRL next year,’ he had previously said.
On his Canterbury exit, he added: ‘It’s disappointing the way things panned out, but I have to cop it on the chin and I need to go back to what’s always worked for me and that’s working hard.
‘I’ve handled this pretty well. I’m keeping my mind busy and I’ve still got to put food on the table for my family and that’s what I plan to do,’ he added.
Addo-Carr had worked on a building site as a labourer after he was suspended by the Bulldogs.
He has also been getting up for boxing training at 5am with iconic Aussie trainer Johnny Lewis before heading out to work on the tools with landscaper and Aussie boxer Garth Wood.
‘I know my time in the NRL will come again and when it does I will take it with both hands no matter where I go.’
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