Dan Tomlinson looks at Hull FC’s statement signing of Daly Cherry-Evans – and why he could be one of their biggest ever deals.
Hull FC have signed NRL icon Daly Cherry-Evans. (Image: Getty)
Hull FC have signed iconic NRL half-back Daly Cherry-Evans. Yes, you read that right. No, it wasn’t a dream. It’s done, signed and sealed, and DCE will be black and white come November 2026.
Talk about a statement of intent, with the Australian star putting pen to paper on a one-year deal at Hull for the 2027 season, playing under incoming head coach Steve McNamara in what is arguably one of the club’s biggest ever signings, period, and one of Super League’s too.
It’s a game changer, a huge landmark, and it has so many benefits that it’s hard to know where to start, but let’s do so with the elephant in the room: his age.
Daly Cherry-Evans is currently 37 years old. When the Super League season starts next year, he’ll be knocking on the door of 38 – February 21, to be precise. But who cares?
Age is by each individual case. Gareth Ellis came back from a ruptured Achilles tendon a couple of months shy of 35 years old and led Hull FC to their first Challenge Cup win at Wembley. He then skippered the club to another win in front of the arch at 36 one year later.
Never mind age, let’s go on facts. The facts are that DCE is ever-present for current NRL side Sydney Roosters this year, playing every minute of every game. The facts are that DCE has had an incredibly durable career, playing for over 370 NRL matches in 15 years. The facts are that DCE is still right on top of his game and has just scored two tries to defeat the Penrith Panthers 12-6 with the Roosters now sitting on top of the table. Facts speak volumes.
It’s about individuals, superstars, or what South Sydney Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe calls the ‘sparkly-eyed man’. That was what he used to describe Sam Burgess and history didn’t lie. DCE could be that man for Hull FC.
His career needs no introduction, but for the record, he has over 370 NRL appearances under his belt, 104 tries and counting, the most of any half-back in the competition’s history. He has played more games than any other half and slotted over the most drop goals. He won the Premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles in his first season at the club and is their record appearance maker.
He was a Queensland regular at Origin level, part of series victories over New South Wales as recently as last year. He’s also won two World Cups while an Australian Kangaroo, featuring in the 2013 and 2022 tournaments. He is box-office gold. He is a statement.
Daly Cherry-Evans has the potential to be one of Hull’s biggest ever signings and can shake the status quo like Ellis did before him, like Richard Swain did, like Steve ‘Knocker’ Norton did, and like Billy Batten did way back when. This, as forementioned, is a game changer for a club and a regime that know that 2026 has been a step back after the promise of 2025 but who are making the necessary changes to try and rectify it.
This is a signing that shows the commitment, the drive, and the determination the likes of Richie Myler and Andrew Thirkill have to make Hull FC an elite force in the game once again. Thirkill spoke before the season started about making this club a ‘super club’ and this is how you do it. Recruitment that sends genuine rugby league shockwaves.
The signing of DCE has sent shockwaves. It is huge. A player, who can play at six or seven, that screams class, tactical nous, strong kicking, and the ability to unlock a defence amid fundamental qualities from senior leadership, accountability, responsibility, standard setting, professionalism – the lot, and one that will lead the side with spine options in bulk from Jake Arthur, Bailey Hodgson, Will Pryce, and Logan Moy.
It’s a signing that is as much off the field as it is on it. It’s one that can lead the Hull revival under McNamara next year, whose pull as the club’s new head coach is already there to see. Aforementioned Hodgson. Alrix Da Costa. Isaac Lui. Daly Cherry-Evans. And there will be more in the pipeline. Make no mistake there.
It’s also a signing that will have an impact for years to come. It’s not only what big players do when they’re here but also the impact they leave after they’ve gone. Imagine being Callum Kemp, for one, and learning from a player like DCE next year, spending every day at training with him and learning what makes him tick. It’s an absolute game-changer.
But above all else, it shows that Hull FC are serious. Everyone knows 2026 hasn’t been good enough, but statements like this show that the willingness to try and make 2027 successful is there and genuine. It’s a signing to get people on board and make them believe again. It’s a signing to change the status quo. It’s a signing that is, to use an adopted Hull FC-ism, gargantuan.