Cotric to exit Raiders for Super League at season's end

Canberra's Nick Cotric has signed on with the Catalans Dragons in the English Super League. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Nick Cotric will leave Canberra at the end of this NRL season, with the former Australian Test winger to move to Catalans Dragons.

Cotric on Thursday morning confirmed a new three-year deal with the French-based English Super League club, ending his second stint with the Raiders.

A NSW State of Origin winger in 2019, Cotric was on the rise when he left Canberra for Canterbury at the end of the following season.

But he has since been unable to recapture his best form, returning to Canberra in 2022 after an unhappy stint at the Bulldogs.

He was briefly dropped by coach Ricky Stuart, before returning to the wing for the past two months.

Catalans on Thursday trumpeted the 25-year-old's signing as an exciting one for their club, given Cotric's speed and ability to break tackles.

"I can’t wait to put the jersey on and go hard with the boys," the winger said in a statement.

"I’m excited to make new memories and play for a great club and team. Allez les Dragons!"

Cotric's signing comes after Wests Tigers centre Brent Naden had been linked to the club by English media after CEO Shane Richardson's visit to the country.

Naden has been told by the Tigers he will not be re-signed beyond 2025, and can pursue greater security elsewhere as they look to clear out salary-cap space.

But AAP has been told that the 28-year-old will not move overseas with his young family, and a shift to the English Super League is therefore off the cards.

Instead his priority is to remain in Australia, and at this stage he plans to stay at the Tigers for next year and try to convince the joint-venture to hand him a new deal.

The Tigers have a number of younger players coming through their ranks, with teenage outside back Luke Laulilii impressing on debut last weekend.

Adam Doueihi also returned in the centres against Canberra on Sunday, and has signed a one-year deal for next year.

But questions remain over fellow centre Justin Olam for the rest of this season, with the Papua New Guinean battling persistent knee issues.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store