Chad Townsend has signed a one-year deal to join the Sydney Roosters in 2025, bringing his three-year spell with the North Queensland Cowboys to an end.

The veteran halfback previously played 146 matches for the Cronulla Sharks, broken up by small stints at the New Zealand Warriors.

Why is Chad Townsend leaving the Cowboys?

After they finished 15th in 2021, Townsend helped the Cowboys secure a preliminary final berth in his first season at the club.

However, the next year, they fell back out of the top eight, missing out on finals footy.

North Queensland are back in finals contention in 2024, but they won’t be extending Townsend’s contract.

This is due to salary cap pressures, as well as the club’s desire to trust their young playmakers.

“There were a few factors with Chad [leaving],” Cowboys football boss Michael Luck told the Daily Telegraph.

“Salary cap was one of them, but we are confident in our young halves, they have served an apprenticeship and we feel guys like Tom Duffy, Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue are ready to take the next step.

“Tommy Dearden is one of the best young playmakers in the game. It will be sad to see Chad go, but we are grateful for his time here and hopefully he can finish on a good note here.

“If you had 30 guys in the squad with Chad Townsend’s attitude, you wouldn’t lose many games.”

Why is Chad Townsend signing with the Roosters?

The Roosters confirmed Townsend would be joining them for next year on Wednesday.

“It’s great to be adding Chad’s experience to our 2025 roster, and we look forward to welcoming him to the club later this year,” Roosters recruitment boss Daniel Anderson said.

He was reportedly offered a contract in the Super League but is set to remain in Australia.