Daly Cherry-Evans moving to Sydney Roosters in 2026 after Manly contract delays

Daly Cherry-Evans will play for the Sydney Roosters in 2026, moving from the Manly Sea Eagles. This comes after contract talks took a long time.
By Newsroom | Rugby League, Sydney |

The move of veteran player Daly Cherry-Evans (DCE) to the Sydney Roosters for the 2026 season has been confirmed. This transition follows a period of significant speculation and negotiation, with official announcements and public appearances only occurring late in 2025. Despite the confirmation of his future club, the precise timing and nature of his departure from the Manly Sea Eagles and his subsequent integration with the Roosters have been subject to varying reports and interpretations.

Background to the Transfer

Daly Cherry-Evans, a long-serving player for the Manly Sea Eagles and a former Queensland Origin captain, was reportedly nearing the end of his tenure with his long-time club. Reports in July 2025 indicated that an agreement was in place for him to join the Sydney Roosters in 2026. This agreement, however, was described as being subject to a delay in official announcement due to a pre-existing understanding between the two clubs.

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  • July 27, 2025: News emerged of an agreement for Cherry-Evans to join the Roosters in 2026.

  • August 23, 2025: Further details about the contract emerged, suggesting a financial adjustment by Cherry-Evans and his initiation of contact with the Roosters.

  • November 20, 2025: Cherry-Evans publicly addressed his move to the Roosters for the first time, appearing in their kit at a jersey launch.

Contractual and Relational Dynamics

The transfer was characterized by reports suggesting a strained relationship between Cherry-Evans and the Manly Sea Eagles, leading to his proactive approach in seeking a move.

  • Player Initiative: It has been reported that Cherry-Evans was the one who initially approached the Roosters, rather than the other way around. This suggests a proactive desire to change clubs on his part.

  • Financial Considerations: Reports indicate that Cherry-Evans agreed to a contract with the Roosters that was reportedly worth significantly less than what his current club was willing to offer. This pay cut is understood to potentially aid the Roosters in re-signing other players.

  • Negotiation Frustration: Frustration over the protracted nature of his contract negotiations with Manly is cited as a key reason for his decision not to re-sign. He reportedly informed his own club of his intention to leave under any circumstances.

Public Acknowledgment and Future Outlook

By late 2025, Cherry-Evans began to speak publicly about his impending move, expressing his feelings about joining the Roosters.

  • Public Debut in New Colors: Cherry-Evans was seen wearing the Roosters' kit publicly for the first time at the official 2026 jersey launch.

  • Player Sentiment: He expressed excitement about moving outside his comfort zone and embracing the expectations of the historic Roosters club. He highlighted the anticipated benefit of learning from different individuals.

Unresolved Questions and Speculation

Despite the confirmation of the move and some public statements, certain aspects of the transition have remained subjects of discussion and conjecture.

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  • Timing of Announcement: The exact timeline for the formal announcement of the deal was a point of discussion, with earlier reports suggesting an agreement was in place months before public acknowledgment.

  • Departure from Manly: The specific circumstances and the number of remaining games with Manly were unclear for a period, with the possibility of his season ending prematurely depending on the team's performance.

  • Reasoning for Move: While frustration with Manly's negotiations is cited, the underlying motivations for accepting a potentially lesser contract at a rival club, after a long tenure, have been a focus of debate.

Agreement and Announcement Delays

Reports from late July 2025 suggested a confirmed agreement for Cherry-Evans to join the Roosters in 2026. However, an explicit clause within this arrangement stipulated that the deal would not be announced for some time. This was reportedly due to an understanding reached between the Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles.

Cherry-Evans' Role in the Deal

Evidence points towards Daly Cherry-Evans initiating contact with the Sydney Roosters. This suggests that the move was not solely a recruitment drive by the Roosters but a result of Cherry-Evans actively seeking a new opportunity. This is further supported by reports of his alleged frustration with his contract negotiations at Manly.

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Contractual Terms and Financial Implications

The reported financial terms of Cherry-Evans' contract with the Roosters indicate a potential salary reduction compared to what Manly might have offered. This financial aspect is believed to assist the Roosters in managing their salary cap, possibly to retain other key players.

Expert Analysis

"It has also been revealed that it was Cherry-Evans who approached the Roosters initially, not the other way around. The latest developments surrounding the former Maroons skipper's contract point to a deeply eroded relationship with the Sea Eagles, with the veteran star desperate to move on." – Zero Tackle, August 24, 2025

This observation highlights a critical element of the transfer: the agency of the player and the apparent breakdown of relations with his long-term club.

"Could retirement even be back on the cards for the 353-game NRL veteran? While we do know DCE won’t be at Brookvale when preseason training begins next month, where he will be continues to be a matter of pure sporting conjecture." – Sporting News Australia, October 23, 2025

This quote from October 2025 underscores the lingering uncertainty surrounding Cherry-Evans' immediate future and the speculative nature of the discussions surrounding his contract saga.

Conclusion

Daly Cherry-Evans' transfer to the Sydney Roosters for the 2026 season has been confirmed, culminating a period of significant media attention and reported contractual complexities. Key factors influencing this transition appear to be a desire for a change in environment, potential friction in negotiations with his former club, Manly Sea Eagles, and a proactive approach by Cherry-Evans himself in securing a deal with the Roosters. The contract details suggest a financial compromise on his part, potentially facilitating broader team-building for his new club. Public acknowledgment from Cherry-Evans in late 2025 signals a readiness to embrace his new role. However, the precise nuances of the agreement's timeline and the full extent of the dynamics between all parties involved remain subjects of public discussion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Daly Cherry-Evans moving to the Sydney Roosters in 2026?
Daly Cherry-Evans is moving to the Sydney Roosters for the 2026 season because he was frustrated with contract talks with his old club, Manly Sea Eagles. He decided to look for a new club and found a deal with the Roosters.
Q: When was Daly Cherry-Evans' move to the Sydney Roosters confirmed?
The move was confirmed in late 2025, with Daly Cherry-Evans appearing in the Roosters' kit at a jersey launch on November 20, 2025. News of an agreement first came out in July 2025.
Q: Did Daly Cherry-Evans take less money to join the Sydney Roosters?
Reports suggest Daly Cherry-Evans agreed to a contract with the Roosters that was worth less money than Manly might have offered. This might help the Roosters keep other players on their team.
Q: Did Daly Cherry-Evans want to leave Manly Sea Eagles?
Yes, it is reported that Daly Cherry-Evans was the one who first talked to the Sydney Roosters about joining them. He was reportedly unhappy with how long his contract talks with Manly were taking.
Q: What was the reason for the delay in announcing Daly Cherry-Evans' move to the Roosters?
The announcement was delayed because there was an agreement between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles to not make the deal public for some time. This was part of the contract terms.
Q: What are Daly Cherry-Evans' feelings about joining the Sydney Roosters?
Daly Cherry-Evans has said he is excited to join the Sydney Roosters. He wants to move outside his comfort zone and learn from new people at the historic club.