In a surprising move that leaves the Canberra Raiders with little back-line depth, winger Edrick Lee has been released by the club and signed a deal with the Cronulla Sharks.
Starting effective immediately, Lee has signed a 2-year deal with the club and offers the Sharks further depth across their back-line.
The Mt Gravatt junior debuted in the NRL back in 2012 and to date, has played in 67 games, all with Canberra.
With just a week to go until the start of the season, Lee is excited to join a new club.
“I’m really excited to be joining the club, I can’t wait for this year and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Lee said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting all the players and staff (but) I know there’s a lot of hard work that has to be done between now and round one.”
With spots on offer, the signing of Lee is one that also pleases coach Shane Flanagan.
“He’s a proven finisher who gives us height and a kick target and a point of difference out on the wing,” Flanagan began. “With the loss of Benny and with some potential changes in position for Val and others he has a great opportunity to be a part of our NRL side this season.”
“With the loss of Benny and with some potential changes in position for Val and others, he has a great opportunity to be a part of our NRL side this season.”
In the end, it was the salary cap that reared its head in Canberra which led to the release of Lee.
“With a restricting salary cap and a large amount of players coming off contract we’ve been forced to make a tough and sad decision to release Edrick, in order to be able to re-sign a large group of our NRL squad for the future,” Furner said.
“Edrick is a special player who began his career as a junior of the club and he’ll always be welcome back at the Raiders.”