'Significant outcome for us': Dragons confirm Luke Metcalf signing on three-year deal

St George Illawarra have landed another big signing, confirming halfback Luke Metcalf will join the club on a three-year deal from 2027.

Just two days after the Warriors granted the playmaker permission to negotiate with rival clubs for next season, the Dragons announced the deal on Thursday night.

The 27-year-old also met with Bulldogs officials this week, but the club withdrew from the race to sign him and left their cross-town rivals in the box-seat.

FOLLOW LIVE: Women's State of Origin game two

READ MORE: Fuming coach rips reporter as presser goes off the rails

READ MORE: Bennett urges Maroons to make big Walker call

Metcalf expressed his excitement after the news was confirmed, but remains fully committed to the high-flying Warriors for the rest of this season.

"I'm really excited to be joining the Dragons and grateful for the opportunity," he said.

"It's a proud club with a huge supporter base, and I'm looking forward to meeting the boys, getting to work and earning the respect of the players, staff and fans.

"I intend to give my all to the Warriors for the remainder of this season before taking the next step in my career. It will be an honour to pull on the Red V and do everything I can to help the club move forward."

The deal is reported to be worth around $900,000 per season for Metcalf.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Dragons boss Tim Watsford lauded the signing as a major boost for the battling club.

"Luke is a player who brings creativity and confidence to our football program," he said.

"To be able to bring him into the club for the next three years is a significant outcome for us. He has shown he can influence games with the ball in hand, and we believe his best football is still in front of him.

"This is another important step in building a squad that supports our local talent with strategic additions, allowing the playing group to grow together and deliver the kind of football our members and fans want to see."

Metcalf joins a mass signing spree for next season, with the Dragons already landing Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater and Phillip Sami.

The fleet-footed No.7 started his career at Manly before moving to Cronulla and making his NRL debut in 2021.

After two seasons and only seven games at the Sharks he joined the Warriors in 2023, managing 19 NRL games across his first two seasons with the Auckland club.

His breakout campaign came last year when he was sitting atop the Dally M leaderboard before succumbing to an ACL injury.

Metcalf only recently came back from that injury but his spot has been taken by Tanah Boyd at the Warriors, prompting a request to leave the club.

He will form a new-look spine at the Red V alongside Drinkwater, Daniel Atkinson and Jacob Liddle, with captain and hooker Damien Cook leaving the club.

Wide World of Sports' The Mole also indicated the Dragons are close to signing Roosters utility Connor Watson for next season.

Watson has been given permission to leave the Roosters and is expected to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028, but the Dragons are keen to get him on board for at least next season.

Weidler reports Watson will tour Port Moresby this weekend.