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

NRL legend Daly Cherry-Evans has opened up on his shock move to sign a one-year deal with Hull FC in the Super League in 2027 and says it is the club with which the "connections felt right".

Cherry-Evans sensationally moved to Sydney Roosters ahead of the 2026 season and scored a try on Thursday in their match against Penrith Panthers to move his side top of the NRL table.

However, as he turns 38 years of age, Cherry-Evans will swap Sydney for the Black and Whites.

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Former Kangaroos half-back Cherry-Evans is widely considered one of the best playmakers in the history of the sport, playing nine years for Australia and captaining Queensland.

While Cherry-Evans admitted he pondered about continuing to live the NRL "dream", his curiosity about Super League won out in a moment that felt like the "right time" to move across the world.

"That's just where the relationships and the connections felt right. I didn't have to look at too many other places, to be honest. If you're going to do it, you might as well do it properly, and Hull will give us that opportunity," Cherry-Evans said.

"As a person, deep down, I've always had that curiosity about what Super League would be like or what another code would be like in another country. As I've gotten older, I've understood that there's a big wide world out there, so it has become an interest, but I never knew when.

"I never had a timeline. It was just a thought that kept popping over again and again. It felt like coming to the Roosters wasn't just going to benefit me with footy, but also challenge me in other ways, and that's definitely been the case. It'll be another case of that in a different country next year.

"It just feels like the right time. No one can know when someone's right time is. It comes from deep within. The conversations I've had with myself and the people I love and trust - everything just makes sense to make the move now.

"There was definitely that voice in my head that said 'Stay in the NRL. Keep living out that dream.' But there's more to my story than me just playing in the NRL.

"I guess why I play in the NRL has a lot to do with challenging myself at the highest level but also inspiring my family and I feel like our family is ready for something different.

"We've had an amazing experience that's still continuing at the Roosters, but what an amazing opportunity I'm going to have to go and play in the UK with my wife and kids who will be old enough to remember it years down the track."

'It is a move to protect my future'

While all eyes are currently trained on Cherry-Evans' spectacular move, his are solely focused on ensuring that Sydney Roosters win the competition in 2026.

The move, in itself, was more about "protecting" the playmakers' future.

"There's absolutely nothing more important to me right now than winning a Premiership this year, but at some stage you do have to protect your future, and talking to my wife and the people we love and trust within our circle, we were told you will never regret going over to the UK and giving the Super League a go.

"We're really excited about what's ahead for us as a family and also I'm very excited about the challenges that the Super League is going to give to me.

"I am always about challenges and testing myself and Super League is going to give me that opportunity.

"But now that it's all done, it's great and I'm excited about it, but I can just drop the shoulders and just focus on everything inside these four walls for the rest of the year."

Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.