Former Canterbury Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr is set to be sign with the Parramatta Eels, just two weeks after being sacked over a drug driving scandal.
Addo-Carr is set to join the Western Sydney club on a two-year contract from 2025, according to reports by The Daily Telegraph on Thursday night.
The 29-year-old was cut loose on October 31, after the Bulldogs dismissed him after allegedly testing positive to cocaine during a roadside test in September.
The New South Wales and Australia representative also did not disclose his alleged positive test to the club.
Josh Addo-Carr is set to sign a two-year deal with the Parramatta Eels. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
He was issued a breach notice by the Bulldogs but he has maintained his innocence.
Addo-Carr was fined $682 and issued a three-month driving suspension over the incident, while the NRL fined him $15,000 and suspended him for four matches.
He will be available to play again in round four of the 2025 NRL season, with the Bulldogs’ elimination final defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles included in the suspension.
The full details of Addo-Carr’s contract with Parramatta are not yet known, but it is understood he had to prove to the club’s board why they should sign him after his off-field discretion.
New Eels coach Jason Ryles has preivously worked with Addo-Carr when he was an assistant coach at the Melbourne Storm, while the winger was playing his trade there.
After parting ways with the Bulldogs after three years, Addo-Carr, who has scored 140 tries in 179 NRL games, assured he would be a valuable pick-up for any side.
“No matter where I go, I know I will bring value to the team,” he said two weeks ago.
“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.”
Parramatta beat out St. George Illawarra Dragons for the flyer’s signature, in the most high-profile signing of Ryles’ complete makeover to the Eels squad.
The signing is set to follow the likes of Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani, Isaiah Iongi, Dean Hawkins and Jack Williams joining the club in the off-season.
Australia winger Zac Lomax, who agreed to a deal when Brad Arthur was still at the helm, will link up with the squad after an extended rest following international duty.
A number of big names have farewelled the club including inspirational captain Clinton Gutherson, bulldozing Fijian winger Maika Sivo, Eels’ rookie of the year Blaize Talagi and representative prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
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