Rising star Kitione Kautoga from Fiji Bati has officially signed a development contract with the Parramatta Eels for the upcoming season. The NRL club confirmed his signing over the weekend and stated that he will be part of the Top 30 squad.
Mark O’Neill, the general manager of football at Parramatta Eels, expressed enthusiasm about Kautoga, highlighting his potential to enhance the squad. “His inclusion in our preseason training will provide him with an opportunity to integrate into our systems and build relationships with his teammates. We’re confident that under the guidance of our coaching staff, he will continue to grow and thrive,” O’Neill said in comments made to the club’s media team.
Kautoga recently received an early release from his previous club, the Bulldogs, last Friday. He played two first-grade matches for the Bulldogs this season, with limited minutes on the field: 13 minutes against the Storm and 21 minutes against the Roosters. The 22-year-old made his NRL debut in August 2022 with the Wests Tigers and also shined on the international stage, making his debut for the Fiji Bati during the Pacific Bowl Championship in Papua New Guinea last year.
This move is seen as a significant step forward for Kautoga’s career, offering him a platform to develop his skills further in a competitive environment, with the hope that he will emerge as a key player for the Eels in the future.
As Kautoga joins a reputable club like Parramatta, fans and supporters are hopeful that this opportunity will pave the way for a bright future both for him personally and for the team’s performance in the NRL.
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