SOUTH Sydney Rabbitohs have announced  the signing of Saints' Lewis Dodd for the next three seasons upon expiry of his contract at the end of the 2024 season.

The 22-year-old was offered a contract extension by Saints - which he turned down in favour of a new challenge with the NRL club.

Dodd - a product of Saints youth system having come through the club's Scholarship and Academy programmes - has played 76 times in the red vee, scoring 26 tries, 13 conversions, and two drop goals.

One of those drop goals sealed the World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers in Australia last February.

Saints CEO Mike Rush said: “While it’s disappointing that Lewis has chosen to move on from the Club come the end of the year, we will wish him well in the next chapter once the season has finished. 

“We know Lewis will remain fully committed to the club that he has developed and progressed through, and will give his all for Saints and his teammates for the remainder of 2024.”

Dodd said: “It was not a decision that was made overnight, there were a lot of sleepless nights and tough conversations with family and people close to me, it’s been a tough decision.

“The opportunities that I have, and have already had, across my playing career are down to the staff and players at Saints, from top to bottom.

"St Helens has not only made me a better player but a better person, and a person that my family is proud to be associated with.

"I’ll be forever thankful to St Helens and the lessons that they have taught me both on and off the field.

“My full focus is on Saints this season, no other thought is in my mind apart from playing for Saints, giving my all, and doing the job that’s required week in and week out. Hopefully, that will lead to trophies, I know what the fans and the Club deserve.

“There are two trophies to be won this year and the most important thing to me right now is to go win those for St Helens.

"I want to be there at Old Trafford with the fans holding those trophies and having another one of those moments in life that I can cherish with the supporters.”

What now for Saints after Lewis Dodd's switch to South Sydney Rabbitohs?

Dodd, a Halton Farnworth Hornets junior that joined the Saints Academy in 2017, has scored 26 tries, 13 goals and one drop goal in the Super League and Challenge Cup competitions over the past five seasons.

He was named in the extended England squads for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup played in 2022 as well as last season ahead of their mid-season Test against France and end-of-season Test series against Tonga, with a view to the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.

Rabbitohs Head of Football, Mark Ellison, says the Club is excited to have secured Dodd’s services for the next three seasons.

“Lewis is one of the rising stars in England and he indicated to us that he wanted to test himself in the NRL and the Rabbitohs were the Club he wanted to do that with,” Mr Ellison said.

“He is only 22 years-of-age, but he has already won a Super League Premiership and a World Club Challenge with St Helens and he has all of the attributes that it takes to make it in the NRL.

“Our dealings with him have been first class and we’re looking forward to having him join our Club for the 2025 pre-season. We wish him the best of luck for the remainder of the season with St Helens.”