'These decisions are never easy': Dragons confirm Jack de Belin's exit as veteran forward set to join Eels
Updated . First published at
Dragons star Jack de Belin will finish his career in a different jersey, with the veteran forward set to join the Eels on a two-year contract.
The 34-year-old was unsigned for next season and according to The Sydney Morning Herald, will make his way to Parramatta for the 2026 season.
De Belin is the most experienced player in the St George Illawarra squad and if he stayed for an extra year, would potentially have become the club's most capped player.
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However, the club confirmed the news on Wednesday night that the former NSW Blues lock wasn't offered an extension and both parties would split at season's end.
Jack de Belin Getty
"Jack has been an outstanding servant of the club over the past 15 years," chief executive Tim Watsford said.
"These decisions are never easy, but as a club we need to balance the needs of the playing roster over both the short and long term.
"With a host of promising young forwards now emerging into genuine first graders we felt this was the best outcome for the club moving forward.
"While Jack won't finish his career as a one-club player, there is no questioning the loyalty that has been shown both by Jack towards the Dragons and from the Dragons towards Jack over the past 15 years.
"He has been an outstanding player over a decade-and-a-half in the Red V and we wish him nothing but the very best for the next chapter of his career."
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De Belin thanked the club's fans for their unwavering support since his 2011 debut.
"I've enjoyed every minute of my time at the club and have made some wonderful friends and memories," he said
"I'm also grateful for the way the fans have always supported me since the day I arrived here as a teenager. My focus now is finishing the season off on a good note."
It's expected that de Belin will sign with Parramatta for 2026, with an option to remain in the blue and gold for the following season.
Jack de Belin celebrates a try against the Sharks. Getty
It's a big coup for Jason Ryles, who has been looking to add experience to his side after the departures of Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard in the off-season.
De Belin has been one of the Red V's better performers this year, playing in all 13 of the side's matches and averaging 110 run metres and 34 tackles per game.
While his career is winding down, de Belin has maintained on multiple occasions that his body is in better condition than many other players at his age due to the time he spent away from the game under the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy.
It's not the first time de Belin has been linked to a rival club since Shane Flanagan's arrival as head coach, with the Rabbitohs expressing interest last year, before the Papua New Guinea international signed a one-year extension for 2025.
