Jahream Bula will remain at the Wests Tigers until the end of 2030 after inking a new four-year deal.
The 24-year-old had attracted interest from rival clubs, including the Dragons and Bulldogs, the latter whom Bula met with over the summer, but Tigers fans can rest easy now arguably their most exciting player is going nowhere.
Bula had a mutual option in his deal for 2027. The club had a couple of weeks to activate their option worth $900,000, and if they passed, which they were never going to do, Bula could play for $800,000 or walk away altogether.
The club and Bula’s management, however, were able to renegotiate a new fee for next year, plus the additional three seasons, with the overall deal worth north of $1 million a year.
The Bula signing was first confirmed in The Sun-Herald, and comes just days after Terrell and Taylan May announced they would remain at the Tigers until the end of 2030.
This time last week, Jarome Luai informed his teammates he would be joining the PNG Chiefs – but Tigers interim CEO Shaun Mielekamp and coach Benji Marshall deserve praise for the way they have moved so quickly to secure three of their genuine stars. Adam Doueihi and Sione Fainu are done until the end of 2029, while co-captain Api Koroisau until 2028.
Bula is battling a shoulder injury, but one of the most beautiful movers in the game who can leap and has silky ball skills. Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould went as far to describe himi as “creamy” while calling a game for Nine last month. Bula is also a spiritual man who does a lot of work in the community.
“The culture and connection that we have as a group is special, and I’m excited to be part of what we’re building,” Bula said.
“I love being here and I’m looking forward to growing my game under Benji, and helping bring the club success.”
Marshall added: “Jahream is someone who brings a lot to our group on and off the field with his leadership and influence.
“We’ve seen his development over the past few seasons, and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead for Jahream here at the Tigers.
“He’s humble, hard-working and a great character to have around. I’ve really enjoyed seeing him grow in confidence, and have great belief in what he can bring us over the next four years. We’re so happy to have Jahream and his family remain with us until 2030.”
Bula is of New Zealand, Fijian, Samoan and Indigenous descent, is eligible for Queensland, but grew up loving the NSW Blues, and first popped up on Tigers’ fans radar at the start of 2023 when former coach Tim Sheens rightfully predicted Bula “will be a kid who comes out of nowhere”.
The Tigers produced their worst game of the season against the Sharks on Sunday when thumped 52-10 in Cronulla, with the extent of injuries suffered by Doueihi (shoulder) and Samuela Fainu (foot) expected to be confirmed on Tuesday.
They play Melbourne in the Victorian capital on Sunday.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
