Graham’s style has won him many admirers in Australia
St Helens joint captain James Graham has confirmed he will join NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Great Britain prop, 25, who has spent nine years with Saints, has signed a three-year deal.
“I’ve been on the books with Saints since I was 11 and grew up supporting them,” he told the Bulldogs’ website.
“I love the place and I never wanted to play against them, and as such I didn’t consider other Super League options.”
Graham captained England during the 2010 Four Nations competition and won the Man of Steel award in 2008.
“The decision to leave St Helens has been by far the biggest decision of my rugby league career,” he continued.
“Testing myself in the NRL is something I’ve always wanted to do, and the Bulldogs just seemed right from day one.
“From meeting with chief executive Todd Greenberg and coach Kevin Moore and also recruitment manager Peter Mulholland, I got a feeling that the Bulldogs are a club heading in the right direction.
“They made it clear to me that they saw me as a big part of the future of the club and I’m looking forward, after a successful finish to my time at Saints, to linking with the club at the end of the year.”
St Helens had feared they would lose Graham to the Australian side but on confirmation of the player’s move club chairman Eamonn McManus gave his blessing.
“There comes a point where you have to just shake his hand and wish him every luck in his new career and life. James will be remembered as one of the all time greats of the club, even at the age of 25,” he said.
“He has handled the situation professionally and with absolute respect for the Saints, recognising what we have done for him as well as what he has done for us.
“He does not need to reassure the fans that he will give 100% for the rest of the season, that is taken as read.
“The door will always be wide open for him at St Helens and with a red carpet leading to it.”
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Saints’ Graham signs for Bulldogs