Keaon Koloamatangi’s Dragons Transfer: Contract & Career

Rugby league fans love a good transfer saga, and Keaon Koloamatangi’s move from South Sydney to the Dragons has all the ingredients: a star forward, a five-year deal, and a club that refused to make the exit easy. The 27-year-old second-rower, a dual international for Australia and Tonga, will leave the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2026 season after signing a long-term contract with St George Illawarra worth around $5 million.

Age: 27 (born 23 May 1998) ·
Position: Second-row forward ·
Height: 191 cm (6’3″) ·
Weight: 110 kg ·
Current club: South Sydney Rabbitohs (through 2026) ·
Future club: St George Illawarra Dragons (from 2027, signed until 2031)

Twelve key facts about Koloamatangi’s career and contract, pulled from club records and verified media reports:

What happened to Keaon Koloamatangi?

Confirmed transfer to St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2027 season

On 6 January 2026, the St George Illawarra Dragons confirmed that Koloamatangi had signed a five-year deal running through the end of 2031. The second-row forward will finish his existing contract with South Sydney during the 2026 season before joining the Dragons for the 2027 preseason, as reported by ABC News.

Cooling-off period dispute between Rabbitohs and Dragons

Under NRL rules, players who sign a new contract have a 10-day cooling-off period during which they can reconsider. According to the Daily Telegraph, South Sydney officials refused to waive that period after Koloamatangi notified them of his decision. Zero Tackle noted that while clubs can waive the cooling-off window, the Rabbitohs chose to enforce it in this case.

Statement from Dragons CEO and Rabbitohs management

The Dragons framed the signing as a landmark recruitment win. “Keaon is one of the premier forwards in the NRL and a proven leader,” the club’s CEO said in the official release. “He’s someone who drives standards every single day.” South Sydney, for their part, issued a brief statement confirming they would not waive the cooling-off period, citing standard NRL policy.

The implication: The Rabbitohs face a roster rebuild in the second row, while the Dragons gain a proven star without having to wait two seasons.

Is Keaon Koloamatangi leaving the Rabbitohs?

Timeline of departure: end of 2026 season

Koloamatangi will play his final season for South Sydney in 2026. The St George Illawarra Dragons stated he will join the club ahead of the 2027 preseason, meaning his last game in Rabbitohs colours will be at the conclusion of the 2026 NRL season. ABC News confirmed that Koloamatangi was still under contract with South Sydney through the 2026 season.

Reasons behind the move

While neither club has detailed the full reasoning, the move represents a significant shift for a player who came through South Sydney’s junior system and made his NRL debut for the club in 2017. The Nine Network described the deal as a major recruitment win for coach Shane Flanagan’s Dragons, suggesting the long-term security — a contract running until age 33 — was a key factor.

Impact on South Sydney’s forward pack

Koloamatangi has been a mainstay for the Rabbitohs, and his departure leaves a gap in the second row. ABC News noted that the signing strengthens the Dragons’ forward pack considerably, while South Sydney will need to find a replacement of similar calibre for the 2027 season.

The pattern: Both clubs are making long-term bets — the Dragons on a premiership window, the Rabbitohs on a roster refresh.

What nationality is Keaon Koloamatangi?

Australian and Tongan dual nationality

Koloamatangi holds dual nationality and has represented both Australia and Tonga at the international level. Born in Sydney, New South Wales, he is of Tongan heritage. The St George Illawarra Dragons identified him as a South Sydney, NSW Blues, Tongan international and Australian Kangaroos forward.

Representative career: played for Australia and Tonga

Koloamatangi earned his first Australian Kangaroos cap in 2022, as noted in his career records. He previously represented Tonga at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s and in test matches. His ability to play for both nations reflects his dual heritage and the high regard selectors have for his talent.

Background and upbringing in Sydney

Koloamatangi grew up in Sydney, New South Wales, and entered the South Sydney Rabbitohs junior system in 2016 before making his NRL debut the following year. His early life and development in the Sydney rugby league system shaped him into the player he is today.

How much is Keaon Koloamatangi’s contract worth?

Reported figures from NRL media sources

According to ABC News, the contract is worth around $5 million over five years. The Daily Telegraph also reported on the deal’s value, though specific salary figures have not been officially disclosed by either club. 7NEWS reported in March 2026 that Koloamatangi had signed his mega five-year Dragons deal in January.

Comparison with other top second-row contracts

At roughly $1 million per year, Koloamatangi’s deal places him among the higher-paid second-row forwards in the NRL. While exact comparisons are difficult due to varying contract structures and performance bonuses, the figure reflects his status as one of the premier forwards in the competition.

Salary cap implications for the Dragons

The Dragons have committed a significant portion of their salary cap to Koloamatangi, signalling their intent to build a forward pack around him. The deal includes performance bonuses and incentives, according to media reports, though the exact structure remains undisclosed.

The catch: Salary cap pressure means the Dragons must balance this deal against retaining other key players across the roster.

What is Keaon Koloamatangi known for?

Explosive running game and strong defence

Koloamatangi is recognized across the NRL for his explosive running game and strong defence. Standing at 191 cm and weighing 110 kg, he combines size with agility, making him a threat on both sides of the ball. According to Zero Tackle, he finished 2025 in form that made him one of the best props in the game.

• Powerful ball-running with strong post-contact metres
• Reliable defender who can shut down opposition attacks
• High work rate, consistently logging big minutes

Sharp ball skills and offloading ability

Koloamatangi has sharp ball skills and is a prolific offloader, which adds a creative dimension to his game. His ability to keep the ball alive in tackles makes him difficult to contain and creates opportunities for his teammates. This skill set makes him valuable not just as a metre-eater but as a link player in attacking structures.

• Offloads regularly to create second-phase play
• Good passing game for a forward
• Can act as a ball-playing forward in attacking sets

Key statistics and highlights in NRL career

Koloamatangi has scored over 20 tries in his NRL career, a strong return for a second-row forward. He has played more than 150 NRL games since his debut in 2017, establishing himself as a consistent performer at the highest level. His representative honours include caps for both Australia and Tonga, underscoring his standing in the game.

The Dragons bet: They are acquiring a forward who can reshape their attacking structure, not just add metres.

Timeline of Keaon Koloamatangi’s career

• 23 May 1998: Born in Sydney, Australia
• 2016: Signed with South Sydney Rabbitohs junior system
• Round 10, 2017: NRL debut for South Sydney vs Brisbane Broncos
• 2019: Represented Tonga at Rugby League World Cup 9s and test matches
• 2022: Earned first Australian Kangaroos cap
• Late 2025: Entered cooling-off period after agreeing terms with Dragons (Daily Telegraph)
• 6 January 2026: Official announcement of Dragons signing (ABC News)
• End of 2026 season: Last game for South Sydney Rabbitohs
• 2027–2031: Plays for St George Illawarra Dragons under five-year contract

The pattern: From a local junior in Sydney’s rugby league system to a dual international and now one of the most significant signings in Dragons history, Koloamatangi’s career arc has been steady and upward.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Keaon Koloamatangi signed with St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2027 season onwards (St George Illawarra Dragons)
• The contract runs until the end of 2031 (St George Illawarra Dragons)
• South Sydney refused to waive the 10-day cooling-off period (Daily Telegraph)
• He is a dual international for Australia and Tonga (St George Illawarra Dragons)
• He plays as a second-row forward (St George Illawarra Dragons)
• He was born in Sydney on 23 May 1998 (ABC News)
• He made his NRL debut in Round 10, 2017 (ABC News)

What’s unclear

• Exact dollar amount of the contract (reported figures vary between $3 million and $5 million)
• Whether the contract includes club or player options
• If he has children (no public confirmation)
• Whether he has any siblings in professional sport
• His exact positional role in the Dragons’ 2027 lineup
• Detailed family background beyond his Tongan heritage
• Whether South Sydney will seek a replacement via the transfer market or internal promotion

Quotes and perspectives

“Keaon is one of the premier forwards in the NRL and a proven leader. He’s someone who drives standards every single day.”

— St George Illawarra Dragons CEO, official club announcement, 6 January 2026 (St George Illawarra Dragons)

South Sydney officials confirmed they would not waive the cooling-off period, citing standard NRL policy and the need for the player to be certain of his decision.

— South Sydney Rabbitohs media statement, January 2026 (Daily Telegraph)

The signing of Koloamatangi represents one of the most substantial recruitment moves in the club’s recent history, strengthening the forward pack considerably.

— NRL.com analyst commentary (ABC News)

The three perspectives — a club celebrating a marquee signing, a former club holding the line on policy, and an independent analyst sizing up the competitive impact — paint a full picture of a transfer that reshapes the NRL landscape.

For St George Illawarra, the investment is a statement of intent: they have secured a top-line forward in his prime for the long haul. For South Sydney, the challenge is now to replace a homegrown talent whose departure leaves a hole in both the roster and the club’s identity. The decision to enforce the cooling-off period, rather than smooth the exit, suggests the relationship has shifted from partnership to transaction. For Koloamatangi himself, the move represents a fresh start and a chance to build a legacy at a club hungry for success. For the Dragons’ fans, the message is clear: the club is serious about contention, and the price of that ambition is a five-year commitment to one of the NRL’s most damaging forwards.

Frequently asked questions

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