Cherry-Evans opens up on Hull FC move: 'It's where the connections felt right'

Daly Cherry-Evans has confirmed his surprise transition to Super League rugby league, signing a one-year contract with Hull FC beginning in 2027. The veteran playmaker, who has spent the majority of his illustrious career with Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL, revealed that personal connections played a decisive role in his decision to join the Yorkshire club. Cherry-Evans emphasized that Hull FC represented the ideal destination where "the connections felt right," suggesting alignment between his vision for the next chapter and the club's ambitions. At 35 years old during the anticipated move, the two-time World Cup representative brings decades of elite-level experience to English rugby league's top division.

Cherry-Evans' arrival at Hull FC marks a significant coup for the Super League outfit, which has competed in the top flight since 1999. The Australian halfback has accumulated over 300 NRL appearances for Manly and represented Australia at international level, establishing himself as one of the competition's premier playmakers. Hull FC finished ninth in the 2024 Super League season, and the club appears positioned to strengthen its spine with Cherry-Evans' considerable tactical intelligence and game-management skills. His recruitment demonstrates the Black and Whites' intent to improve competitiveness during a reconstructive period under the club's current leadership structure.

Cherry-Evans becomes one of the most high-profile NRL exports to join the Super League in recent seasons, following the tradition of established players seeking fresh challenges in their later careers. The move presents an opportunity for the playmaker to introduce his attacking philosophy to English rugby league while competing at a different intensity level. Hull FC's roster development during the 2025 and 2026 seasons will directly influence the effectiveness of Cherry-Evans' impact when he arrives. Super League clubs have increasingly targeted experienced NRL talent, recognizing the competitive advantage elite overseas players provide in European competition.