The Australian half-back will play for Hull FC next season.
Daly Cherry Evans has commented on his move to Hull FC.(Image: Getty)
Daly Cherry-Evans has stated he didn’t have to look too far after meeting and speaking with Hull FC.
The Australian half-back has signed a one-year deal at the Black and Whites for the 2027 season and has the potential to be one of the club’s biggest ever signings.
Still in top form at his current club, Sydney Roosters, Cherry-Evans starred in victory over Penrith Panthers on Thursday with a two-try display and will lead Hull, who will be coached by Steve McNamara next year, into next season as their flagship signing.
Asked why he signed for Hull FC, the 37-year-old, who will be 38 when the new Super League season kicks off, said: “That’s just where the relationships and the connections felt right. I didn’t have to look at too many other places, to be honest. If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it properly, and Hull will give us that opportunity.
“As a person, deep down, I’ve always had that curiosity about what Super League would be like or what another code would be like in another country. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve understood that there’s a big wide world out there, so it has become an interest, but I never knew when.
“I never had a timeline. It was just a thought that kept popping over again and again. It felt like coming to the Roosters wasn’t just going to benefit me with footy, but also challenge me in other ways, and that’s definitely been the case. It’ll be another case of that in a different country next year.
“It just feels like the right time. No one can know when someone’s right time is. It comes from deep within. The conversations I’ve had with myself and the people I love and trust – everything just makes sense to make the move now.
“There was definitely that voice in my head that said ‘Stay in the NRL. Keep living out that dream.’ But there’s more to my story than me just playing in the NRL. I guess why I play in the NRL has a lot to do with challenging myself at the highest level but also inspiring my family and I feel like our family is ready for something different.
“We’ve had an amazing experience that’s still continuing at the Roosters, but what an amazing opportunity I’m going to have to go and play rugby league in the U.K. with my wife and kids who will be old enough to remember it years down the track.”
In the meantime, Cherry-Evans is fully committed to the Roosters’ Premiership charge this year, with their latest win putting them top of the NRL. In the mix, the half-back tasted Grand Final glory at Manly Sea Eagles, where he played 352 games, and while it’s full steam ahead for 2026, the excitement at what’s to come next year is also there to see.
He added: “There’s absolutely nothing more important to me right now than winning a Premiership this year, but at some stage you do have to protect your future, and talking to my wife and the people we love and trust within our circle, we were told you will never regret going over to the U.K. and giving the Super League a go.
“We’re really excited about what’s ahead for us as a family and also I’m very excited about the challenges that the Super League is going to give to me. I’m always about challenges and testing myself and Super League is going to give me that opportunity. But now that it’s all done, it’s great and I’m excited about it, but I can just drop the shoulders and just focus on everything inside these four walls for the rest of the year.”