The Canberra Raiders will welcome Ryan James to club in 2021, after he signed a two-year deal with the Green Machine.
James, 29, has played 144 NRL matches for the Gold Coast Titans since making his debut in 2010. He’s also represented the Indigenous All-Stars on five occasions and Country Origin twice.
The signing of James brings another quality forward into the club for season 2021, with his experience as a player and leader to be welcomed by Coach Ricky Stuart and the playing group.
Off the field, James is also known for his wonderful work as both an Indigenous ambassador and community champion, winning the Ken Stephen medal in 2018 for his work in the community.
James said he’s looking forward to joining the Raiders for the commencement of the 2021 pre-season and would now focus on finishing his time with the Titans.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of heading to Canberra and working with Ricky Stuart and the Raiders squad,” James said. “The Titans have been a wonderful club for me, and I’ll be forever grateful for what they’ve done for my career.”
Raiders Recruitment and High-Performance Director Peter Mulholland said the signing of James was wonderful for the club, with his qualities as a player and individual expected to compliment the club culture.
“We know what Ryan can bring to our club with his football and leadership,” Mulholland said. “He’s a tremendous talent who leads by example on and off the field and we believe he will be valuable addition to our forward pack, particularly for some of our up and coming players.”