The Canterbury Bulldogs are set to land a key signing for the future, with the brother of Talatau Amone to switch out of the St George Illawarra Dragons system.
A rising talent from the Illawarra, Api Amone is set to land a maiden NRL contract with the Bulldogs per a News Corp report that will run to the end of 2029.
At this stage, it appears likely the structure of the deal at Canterbury will see Amone join the development squad in 2029, working his way through pathways until then, although early promotions are common with these sort of deals.
Currently 17 years of age, the rising talent is a strong middle forward forward who will kick-off next year in the SG Ball next year after captaining the Harold Matthews Cup side for the Illawarra Steelers this year.
Already earning representative honours in schoolboy rugby league, Amone's best position moving forward is likely to be lock forward.
Amone also has the ability to play at five-eighth, and has drawn strong comparisons as he has progressed through the ranks in the Dragons system.
The Warrawong-born rising star played his junior football for the Western Suburbs Red Devils in the Illawarra, but will now link up with the Bulldogs who are looking to build their club into the strongest junior base in New South Wales as part of Phil Gould's long-term plans.
The Bulldogs have unearthed some strong talent in recent times, and Amone could be among them in the years to come as he continues to progress.
Amone is the second brother to leave the Dragons after Talatau left some years ago following an off-field incident, having played 54 games for the joint-venture.
Talatau is now plying his trade in the QLD Cup, and biding his time ahead of a push to return to the NRL in some capacity.
