SUPERSTAR Sonny Bill Williams is on the verge of signing a $4 million deal to return to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Williams' five-year agreement was all but finalised over a breakfast meeting in Circular Quay yesterday with Roosters chairman Nick Politis and Channel Nine supremo David Gyngell.
He will join the Roosters in 2013 on $800,000 a season, exactly double what he was on when he walked out, without notice, on the Bulldogs in 2008 to join Toulon in French rugby union.
The Roosters will use the cash freed up from the expected retirements of fullback Anthony Minichiello and skipper Braith Anasta to fit Williams under the salary cap, which will be increased by 2013 anyway with the next television deal to provide a $1 billion-plus boost for clubs.
Yesterday's breakfast meeting at a Circular Quay cafe was leaked to the media by the Williams camp.
He is known to be bored in rugby union and has made no secret of his desire to return to rugby league once he is freed from having to pay the Bulldogs any compensation.
Williams signed a one-season deal with Kiwi Super 15 franchise Waikato Chiefs after the recent World Cup, knowing he would be heading back to the sport he loves most. He has been making inquiries about buying property in Sydney for some time.
The Parramatta Eels and the Roosters were always the front-runners to secure his services.
It was Williams who actually initiated yesterday's meeting with two of Sydney's most influential businessmen.
Politis is the long-time chairman of the Roosters. He has powerful contacts and is someone who can structure third-party arrangements on top of the sign-on fee to make the deal happen.
Gyngell is a life-long Sydney Roosters fan and former board member. He spoke to Williams about opportunities at Channel Nine.
French and Japanese rugby union clubs are still chasing the All Blacks star with offers of up to $1 million a season.
Source:Herald Sun
