Parramatta win race to sign Blake Ferguson

Parramatta Eels have won the race to sign Sydney Roosters winger Blake Ferguson on a three-year deal from 2019.

The 28-year-old turned down another three-year deal from Newcastle Knights as well as an extension to remain at the Roosters, so he could join the Eels next year and remain with his family in Sydney.

Eels coach Brad Arthur is delighted to have secured the services of Australia international Ferguson for next year.

He said: “I had a conversation with him about how important it is for us that we want the right people and good people at our club.

“He’s fully aware of his responsibilities and accountability to his team-mates and the club and he wants to be one of the players that can lead that.

“We’ll have to wait and see [where Ferguson plays in 2019], but he’s going to help us out of the backfield.

“He can play centre, he can play wing. He’s a big body and he’s probably the form outside back in the comp at the moment.

“He’s a quality finisher and is good at getting sets started out of the backfield.”

Ferguson has scored 94 tries in 181 NRL appearances.