The Perth Bears are set to join the NRL in 2027, and are now officially in negotiations to sign their first squad of 30 players.
Zero Tackle will keep you up to date with their signings, official squad, news and rumours in the lead up to their first campaign. Bookmark this page and come back to check for regular updates and their updated team after every signing.
See every club's signing tracker and squad for 2027 here
Current best 19
1. Mason Barber
2. Harry Newman
3. Sean Russell
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Nick Meaney
6. Tyran Wishart
7. Toby Sexton
8. Liam Henry
9. Tyson Smoothy
10. Mikolaj Oledzki
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Siosifa Talakai
13. Josh Curran
Interchange
14. Mavrik Geyer
15. Luke Smith
16. James McDonnell
17. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
18. Jack Cole
19. Chris Vea'ila
Rest of squad
20. Luke Laulilii
21. Emarly Bitungane
22. Kit Laulilii
23. Jope Rauqe
24. Apa Twidle
25. No player signed.
26. No player signed.
27. No player signed.
28. No player signed.
29. No player signed.
30. No player signed.
Development players
1. No player signed.
2. No player signed.
3. No player signed.
4. No player signed.
5. No player signed.
6. No player signed.
Confirmed signings tracker
July 27: Tyson Smoothy returns to NRL
July 23: Bears confirm two more outside backs as Origin player relocates
June 23: Perth Bears add Mavrik Geyer as player 20
June 12: Bears lock up Mason Barber for 2027
May 1: Two rising stars sign on for 2027
March 17: Another international joins Bears on long-term deal
February 25: Bears confirm signing of Penrith second rower
January 16: Bears poach young gun from the Tigers
January 12: Bears add two more signings to 2027 roster
January 10: Meaney, Wishart abandon Storm for Bears
January 7: Bears sign Bulldogs star on multi-year deal
December 24: Christmas boost for Bears as Russell joins
December 10: Perth add Henry, Fa'asuamaleaui to inaugural roster
December 3: Two more Bears locked in after London stint
December 2: Bears confirm Sexton, Newman as first two signings
Want to be a selector? Have a go at picking any NRL team with our Pick Your Team feature
Rumours
Note: Rumours will be updated to remove any that are no longer possible or otherwise confirmed.
July 22: Junior Paulo considers options from Bears, Eels
July 19: Morgan Smithies in Bears sights
July 5: Bears interested in Moses Leota
April 26: Rising Bulldogs star on Bears' radar
April 16: Bears eyeing off Raiders centre
April 9: Charlie Staines in possible NRL return
March 12: Bears to chase NSW Origin player
March 5: Battle for rising PNG star heats up
February 23: Gould addresses rumours linking Bulldogs star to Bears
December 8: Bears confirm interest in Burton
December 4: Bears ready to speak with Zac Lomax
November 28: Four new names on Bears list of targets
November 27: Broncos backs Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars on hit list
November 24: Jake Averillo on multiple radars, Bears possibly to make play
November 23: Bears in talks with two NRL players
November 19: Bears to chase Roosters young gun Hugo Savala
November 18: International hooker to chase NRL dream with Bears
November 13: Unknown winger set to become first Perth Bears signing
Which players have the Bears missed?
The Bears have been linked to a number of players who have already made decisions elsewhere.
Cameron Munster was the first of those. On contract with the Storm until the end of 2027, there was a chance the Storm would let him move to Perth, however, the release of Jonah Pezet ensured he wouldn't be going anywhere.
Luke Metcalf then also elected to formally re-sign with the New Zealand Warriors.
The Gold Coast Titans then landed a double blow against the Bears, with Beau Fermor re-signing first, and then being followed by Jayden Campbell.
Reuben Garrick from the Manly Sea Eagles was another player the club were interested in, but he has reportedly elected to sign with the Sydney Roosters.
How are the Bears comparing to the Dolphins?
The Dolphins announced their first signing on November 26, 2021 ahead of their 2023 entry. They then went on to make another five signings before Christmas, taking their total to six.
The Dolphins would add signings seven and eight in January, and nine and ten in February, before things slowed down until the back-end of April.
FLASHBACK: Dolphins 2023 signing tracker
Tom Gilbert became player number 11 on April 26, with the Dolphins then adding seven signings in May, four in June, and three in July as they built out their squad for their first campaign.
