BREAKING: Thompson’s most likely new NRL team revealed as key girlfriend detail comes to light

New details have emerged around the NRL future of Newcastle Knights prop Leo Thompson, who has reportedly told the club he plans to leave when his contract runs out at the end of next season. The Knights were hoping to extend the Kiwi Test star beyond 2025 but the 24-year-old has reportedly told Newcastle he plans to move on in 2026.

The Bulldogs and Raiders have emerged as the two clubs most likely to sign the international prop, and The Daily Telegraph reports that Thompson has fielded a massive four-year offer worth more than $3.2 million. The same report claims Thompson has been offered as much as $900,000-a-season over four years to switch clubs, which has been denied by one of his suitors.

Speaking on SEN radio, Channel Seven league reporter Michelle Bishop praised the prop for backing himself by hitting the open market, with the move set to pay massive dividends. And Bishop also revealed that the Raiders appear to be the club in the box seat to win Thompson’s signature due to the fact his girlfriend hails from Canberra.

Girlfriend detail could help Raiders sign Leo Thompson
Bishop said on SEN radio on Monday night: “I’m loving the fact that he’s actually had the courage to back himself. So testing the market, there’s obviously a stack of NRL clubs chasing his services but the Raiders have gone in hard and they’ve got a bit of a bonus which no one is talking about and that is that his partner is from Canberra.

“I do understand the Doggies are also interested but I’m of the understanding that they haven’t actually tabled an offer yet, a financial offer. But Canberra want him, they want him in the nation’s capital…. and he’d be a good buy.”

Bishop’s comment would suggest that the Raiders have already put in the big offer for Thompson, who reportedly also met Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and club officials earlier this month. If Thompson were to accept an offer from a rival club, the Knights would have 10 days to respond and potentially try and counter it with their own offer to convince him to stay. However, it’s understood Newcastle are contemplating withdrawing their initial offer of a contract extension for the Kiwi Test star and could even waive the 10-day cooling off period.Loss of Leo Thompson would be a blow for Knights
The loss of Thompson would be a massive blow for the Knights, who recently released fellow prop Daniel Saifiti to join the Dolphins. Thompson has established as one of the NRL’s leading middle forwards and it’s an area Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien would be looking to strengthen, rather than seeing weakened by the prop’s likely exit. Newcastle have signed Thompson’s twin brother and former Super Rugby forward Tyrone for the 2025 season

However, the Raiders are keen to bring Thompson back to the nation’s capital after the 24-year-old came up through Canberra’s junior system. And the club may view him as a natural successor to veteran prop and fan favourite Josh Papali’i, whose current deals runs out at the end of next season.

The Bulldogs have also made no secret of their desire to add a quality middle forward to their playing roster, having missed out on the signing of Cronulla recruit and former Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake. But the prospect of moving back to Canberra where his girlfriend is from and where Thompson played his junior footy, looks to have put the Raiders in the box seat for his signature.