Sea Eagles utility confirms new club after speculation

He will depart the Sea Eagles.

Manly Sea Eagles utility Kaeo Weekes has confirmed he will join the Canberra Raiders for the 2024 season on a new deal.

In an announcement on Wednesday morning, the Raiders confirmed Weekes has signed a new two-year deal which will see him relocate to the nation’s capital until at least the end of the 2025 season.

It was reported at one point that Weekes had already re-signed with the Raiders for 2024 on a yet to be announced deal, but that has now been scrapped in favour of a move to Canberra.

Weekes would have struggled to gain playing time on Sydney’s northern beaches, with Tom Trbojevic and Luke Brooks likely to be the starting fullback and five-eighth.

The utility can play both positions, and the Raiders head into 2024 with more questions than answers with Jack Wighton departing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and yet to be replaced, while Xavier Savage is yet to grab the number one jumper with both hands.

Weekes said he would put in the work during the pre-season to play NRL at the Raiders with no preference on position.

“I can play a few positions, but for me it’s really trying to prove myself and find a place in the team week in week out,” he said in a club statement.

“I’m looking to come in with determination to cement a full-time position in the team.”

He said it was a “great opportunity.

“I think it’s a great opportunity in front of me and I’m looking forward to moving away from home, knuckling down on footy and getting ready for the next challenge in my career,” Weekes said.

Weekes has played 12 NRL games since his debut in Round 19 of the 2022 season, with 9 of those games coming during 2023, including one start at five-eighth and three at fullback, with the remainder from the bench.

Canberra’s recruitment manager Joel Carbone said Weekes will fit in at the Raiders.

“Kaeo is another player in the early stages of his NRL career who we think will fit our transition into the new era here at the Raiders,’ Carbone said.

“He has all the athletic tools necessary and seems a very humble and hard-working young man. He’ll have every opportunity to succeed and further his NRL career here by locking down a consistent position in the NRL team.”

The Raiders return for pre-season in November.