Parramatta is set to lose another player for the 2023 season with young prop Oregon Kaufusi reportedly set to sign with Cronulla.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 22-year-old has signed a deal with the Sharks worth $1.2 million across three years from 2023.
Kaufusi is a local junior with Parramatta, and his loss is another blow to the club’s stocks beyond next season with Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore, Ray Stone and Isaiah Papali’i all departing at the end of 2022.
The report suggests Kaufusi opted to leave the Eels due to both salary cap restraints and his desire to become a starting prop.
Origin stars Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo currently hold those positions under Brad Arthur.
With the pair re-signed until 2025 and 2026 respectively Kaufusi decided that his best option was to move to get out from under their shadow.
The young big man has played 44 first-grade games and has represented the Blues at under 16s, 18s and 20s level.