St Helens have announced that their captain and England prop Matty Lees will join new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs from 2028.
The PNG Chiefs will enter the Australian competition in 18 months' time and become the 18th team. Perth Bears join in 2027 as the 17th.
After making a statement with their first signing in four-time Premiership winner Jarome Luai, the franchise has now pulled off another huge coup in Lees who is renowned as one of the biggest names in Super League.
St Helens said Lees had activated an NRL break clause in his contract.
"Matty has had an ambition to play in the NRL for some time, and we respect that, particularly after so many years of putting his body on the line for us," St Helens CEO Eamonn McManus said in a press release.
"He had an NRL break clause in his existing contract for 2028 and, therefore, in turn, he has shown respect to us by honouring his contractual obligations to the full.
"We will wish him and his family every success in his new adventure in Papua New Guinea when the time comes, but that is clearly some time away yet.
"There is much, much more for Matty to achieve with the Saints before then, and I'm confident that he will.
Lees has played for St Helens since 2017 and was a key figure in the side that won four Super League Grand Finals in a row from 2019 to 2022. He also was involved in the monumental World Club Challenge win over Penrith Panthers.
He has since taken on the captaincy of Saints from the 2026 season but suffered a knee injury in his side's Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Wigan that could keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.
The PNG Chiefs will be coached by current Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, who secured a historic treble for the Robins in 2025 before adding a World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos.
"The last 10 years playing for this club have meant absolutely everything to me," Lees said in a press release.
"This club is family. It has seen me grow from a young lad coming through the academy, making my way into the first team, to having the honour of being named captain.
"Sometimes in life, when an opportunity comes, you have to take it on. Playing in the NRL has been a dream of mine for a very long time, and the opportunity that has been presented to my family and me is one that I could not turn away from.
"I will forever be grateful to the club, the fans, my teammates and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.
"That said, I still have another season to play here, and my focus remains on doing everything I can to help bring more success and silverware to this great club."
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