**BREAKING NEWS: Damien Cook Joins Canberra Raiders on Three-Year, \$2.1 Million Deal**
In a major shake-up ahead of the 2026 NRL season, star hooker Damien Cook has officially signed a three-year deal with the Canberra Raiders worth a reported \$2.1 million. The 33-year-old, who has been a cornerstone of the South Sydney Rabbitohs for nearly a decade, will make the move to the nation’s capital as part of a strategic rebuild for the Green Machine.
Cook’s signing signals the Raiders’ intent to bolster their spine and inject experience into a young and evolving squad. Renowned for his explosive speed from dummy-half and tireless work ethic, Cook is expected to bring leadership and consistency to a team aiming to return to premiership contention.
“It’s a new chapter and I’m excited for the opportunity,” Cook said. “Canberra has a great culture, and I’m looking forward to what we can build together.”
The Rabbitohs have thanked Cook for his outstanding service, with over 200 NRL appearances and numerous Origin and Kangaroos caps to his name.
Canberra fans will be hopeful that Cook’s arrival helps spark a resurgence as the club looks to recapture the form that took them to the 2019 Grand Final. Cook will join the Raiders for preseason training later
this year.
