Eels still on radar of exiting Radradra
SEMI Radradra is prepared to turn his back on nearly $ 1 million if he does not find happiness in French rugby and longs for a Parramatta return.
The option of taking a second season in Radradra’s twoyear deal at Toulon is in his favour and the 25- year- old international said he would have no problems walking away if he struggled to adjust to the European lifestyle.
The Eels speedster stands to collect nearly $ 900,000 a season, a car and accommodation, to play outside centre and be Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal’s Top 14 poster boy.
The best offer he had received from an NRL club was around $ 500,000, which is still huge money for a winger.
While determined to impress in France, Radradra, who will start with Toulon as soon as Parra’s season finishes, has no qualms ditching the second year of his mega payday.
“I’m going to try something new again. I played rugby as a kid and haven’t played rugby in six years,’’ Radradra said.
“It is far from Fiji, but if I’m going there for work or a job, I’ll do whatever it takes.’’
Radradra would not have inked the Toulon deal had he not been in the middle of defending domestic violence- related charges before the courts, which were later dropped.
“With all the stuff happening in my past, it made me sign this deal to play rugby union,’’ Radradra said.
“I would have signed here ( at Parramatta). Hopefully I would have stayed here for life. I love this club. This club I will always call home. Everyone here has looked after me, the club, the boys, we’re tight here.
“I’d love to come back here and finish it off.’’