Newman heading Down Under in 2027

Leeds Rhinos' Harry Newman has agreed to join new NRL club Perth Bears from 2027.

Newman, 25, has signed a two-year contract that will make him a part of the Perth Bears squad for their inaugural season in 2027.

He will continue with the Rhinos throughout the 2026 season.

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Harry to the Perth Bears in what is a truly historic day for our club,” Perth Bears head coach Mal Meninga said.

“He has all the attributes and qualities I’m looking for when building out our roster. Harry is a Test player who has been a part of the successful Leeds Rhinos system for several years.

“He has the skillset and experience to make an immediate impact in the NRL and I’m really excited to see what he can do when gets here in 2027.”

Since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2017, Newman has played 135 games for Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers.

Newman was awarded the Super League Young Player of the Year award in 2020 and was a member of the Rhinos squad that won the Challenge Cup Final in the same year.

The centre has played seven Tests for England including the third game of the 2025 ABK Beer Ashes Series against the Kangaroos.

“It’s always been my ambition to test myself in the NRL and I’m delighted to have the chance to do it with the Perth Bears,” Newman said.

“It’s a huge honour to be one of the Bears first signings and help create a legacy for Rugby League in Western Australia."

Perth Bears General Manager of Football David Sharpe said the club was in the process of “building a roster that will be able to compete from Round 1 in 2027.”

“There is a lot of great talent on the market and I’m confident our strategy and recruitment pitch will appeal to players looking at the opportunities Perth and Western Australia can provide,” he said.

“We are hoping to make some further announcements over the coming weeks that will reaffirm my belief that the Perth Bears are the most exciting story in Australian sport.”