The Manly Sea Eagles have signed young gun five-eighth Latu Fainu to a contract that could see him become the highest-paid player yet to play in the NRL.
Fainu, who recently turned 16, has put pen to paper on a monster four-year contract with Manly according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
It’s understood the contract has a number of performance targets, and if achieved, Fainu will earn a monster seven-figure salary.
The contract kicks in next season.
Fainu’s contract has the potential to be worth more than the $1.3 million contract extension incoming Dragon Moses Suli signed as a teenager in 2017 with the Wests Tigers.
“It’s a dream come true,” Latu said.
“It’s great to be able to stay here with my brothers. Hopefully we get the chance to all play in the NRL together. That would mean a lot to the family.”
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Fainu this season was crowned player of the series in the Harold Matthews Cup, an under 17s competition despite being aged just 15 throughout the entirety of it.
He was also named player of the match during the Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final against the Eels, which Manly won.
The report states that several rival clubs, including the Eles, Warriors and Dolphins, had expressed interest in the young star.
Fainu, from Sydney’s northern beaches, chose to remain with Manly in the hopes of playing with his three older brothers.
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He is the brother of stood down Manly hooker Manase Fainu, as well as 17-year-old Samuela Fainu.
Samuela Fainu also signed a contract extension with Manly to remain with the club until the end of 2024. Meanwhile, 20-year-old prop Sione Fainu is also with the club.
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