It was simply a matter of time but in a huge boost for the Canterbury Bulldogs from 2018, they have added international half Kieran Foran to their roster.
Just a few days ago, the New Zealand Warriors confirmed that the Kiwi half would be returning to Sydney in order to be closer to his family.
For Foran, who has young children in the Sydney area, the decision to return to the area was a no-brainer.
“It has been an incredibly tough decision to make but it has reached the point where I had to make a call and I’ve done that today,” said the 26-year-old.
“I love it so much here at this club and I have so many people to thank for helping me to get my life and my football career back on track.”
In an ideal world, he would have stayed with the Warriors side as the area is his home and a place he loves but with the lure of being closer to his family, the opportunity was one that he could not pass up.
“I really wanted to find a way of staying and spending more time here because it’s so good being around the boys and the people here. Every day I have a smile on my face when I come to training,” Foran continued.
“But, in the end, it came down to my kids and what’s best for them. I need to be back in Sydney to be closer to them.
“Before I do there’s plenty to do here. I want to finish here as well as I possibly can. We can do something this year and I want to play my part in that.”
After his issues that cut short his time at the Parramatta Eels, Foran took time away and it was the New Zealand Warriors who took the chance on him to help him, mentor him and get him back to full health.
The club, whilst disappointed to see him go, understand his plight and situation and are just pleased to have been a part of his life and helping to get it back on track.
“Of course, we would have liked Kieran to stay longer and we looked at ways of making that possible,” said Jim Doyle, the Warriors Managing Director.
“I know how much he likes it here and how much he wanted to extend his time but his kids’ welfare is paramount. We support him in what he has decided to do and wish him all the best.
“For us, it has been great to see how far he has come getting his life back in order and now being in a position to be able to help the team on the field. He wants to finish the season strongly.”
As for the Bulldogs, signing a marquee half will drastically improve their line-up moving forward, and it is a signing that has CEO Raelene Castle excited.
“We are delighted to have secured the services of Kieran for the next three seasons,” said Castle.
“He is a highly experienced and talented play-maker who will be a great asset to our team. We look forward to Kieran joining up with us leading into next year’s campaign.”
No stranger to Des Hasler and his coaching styles, the two will link up once more albeit at a new club.
“I know that family was a determining priority in Kieran’s decision,” Hasler said.
“He could have chosen to go to a handful of Sydney clubs, so we are pleased that he has chosen to continue his career at the Bulldogs.”