A leading contender has emerged to sign Wests Tigers outside back Brent Naden, who is reportedly set to be released by the club before the end of his current contract.
Naden, who joined the Wests Tigers after stints with the Penrith Panthers—where he was named the 18th man of the 2021 Grand Final team—and the Canterbury Bulldogs, has only made 24 first-grade appearances for the Tigers over the past three seasons. Despite showing flashes of brilliance in the NSW Cup this season, this form has not consistently translated to the first-grade level.
According to Love Rugby League, Super League club Catalan Dragons are the favorites to sign Brent Naden for next season, with a deal close to being finalized. Naden is currently under contract with the Wests Tigers until the end of the 2025 season, but it is reported that he will be given an early release to join the Dragons, who are set to lose several outside backs next season.
The Catalan Dragons will see English internationals Tom Johnstone and Tom Davies depart at the end of the year, while Fouad Yaha and former NRL player Matt Ikuvalu remain off-contract. Earlier this month, reports also linked Naden with a potential move to Hull Kingston Rovers.
Naden’s current salary is understood to be $300,000 per season for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
