Rugby League: Todd Carney finds a new home

Todd Carney playing for Cronulla in 2014. Photo / Getty

Salford Red Devils are confident of being able to secure a UK visa for Todd Carney after signing the former NSW representative on a 12-month contract.

The 30-year-old player, who was international player of the year in 2010, was a free agent after being released by Catalans Dragons from the last two years of his contract in October. He has been back in Australia since but failed to find a new NRL club, having already been sacked from three - most recently current premiers Cronulla.

Huddersfield were refused a visa for Carney when they tried to sign him eight years ago because of the player's criminal record but Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash says his club have received positive advice.

"The visa situation is not in our hands, it's up to the Home Office, but the fact that he came into the country when he was playing for Catalans and he hasn't been in any trouble over the last two or three years puts us in a good position," Koukash said.

"We've taken advice and we're fairly confident that we'll be okay. Hopefully he will be here within a couple of weeks.

"I'm very excited about it. Todd will quality to our side. We've got three class players in the halves competing for two places and this is what the coach wanted."

Carney was sacked by three NRL clubs, Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla, and was forced to complete a player-welfare program before being allowed to join the Dragons in 2015.

The Catalans also had to agree to a series of conditions and place a STG50,000 ($AU80,000) bond with the RFL before they were able to register him but Koukash says the player has put his troubles behind him.

"I've known Todd for a couple of years," Koukash added. "We all make mistakes, Todd himself has acknowledged he has made mistakes in the past, and he wants to get back to what he can do.

"We had no hesitation signing him. On his day he can be the best player in Super League."
Carney, who is currently involved in a bid to win compensation for his most recent dismissal by Cronulla, has maintained his fitness while preparing for a boxing match with former Warrington half-back Chris Sandow in December.

Salford coach Ian Watson said: "Speaking to Todd over the Christmas period, I know how excited he is to come across and perform for the club. "I told Todd what Salford was about these days - no egos and no favouritism shown and we didn't want people who would damage the team or what we are about. I told him we were interested in signing him if he wanted to buy into our team ethos and prove to the boys that he wanted to play for Salford Red Devils in 2017.

"Todd was very open with us about past misdemeanours and wants to focus on getting his rugby league career back on path and we believe that, if we can get him fully fit and running at teams, that he will be a great asset for us."

- AAP