Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes has signed a deal reportedly worth more than A$4 million ($4.3m) to stay with the Melbourne Storm until the 2030 season.
The Daily Telegraph reports the Dally M medal winner, who was already signed on until the end of next season, has extended his current deala further four years with the Melbourne club which is worth more than A$1m a year.
However, according to reports, Hughes could have sought a more lucrative deal as a marquee signing with one of the two NRL expansion teams the Perth Bears or Papua New Guinea, which could have been worth a possible A$1.5m per season.
“I’m delighted to extend my contract with Storm for another four years. I absolutely love this club, it’s become a second family to me, and Melbourne feels like home,” Hughes said in a statement via the Storm.
“This group of players, coaches, and staff is incredibly special, and I’m determined to achieve more success in the purple jersey. I’m excited for what lies ahead and the memories still to come.”
Hughes has played 10 tests for the Kiwis and 165 games for the Storm. Last year, he became the third Kiwi after Gary Freeman (1992) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2018) to claim the NRL’s top award, the Dally M medal.
He stepped up in the absence of Cameron Munster through the middle stage of the 2024 season and helped take Melbourne to the grand final.
Hughes is set to miss the back end of this year’s regular season, facing at least six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury last Thursday.
