Canterbury Bulldogs’ new powerhouse recruit, Leo Thompson, has broken his silence following his blockbuster move from the Newcastle Knights, penning a heartfelt message that has already endeared him to the Bulldogs faithful.
The 25-year-old Kiwi international, who signed a four-year deal running until the end of 2029, could not hide his excitement about joining one of the NRL’s most passionate clubs.
“I can’t wait. I’m excited to move to Sydney for a change of lifestyle and to come to the Bulldogs,” Thompson said.
Thompson, who represented New Zealand five times, revealed he had strong interest from multiple NRL clubs including Canberra, but ultimately chose the Bulldogs because of the club’s unique culture and the intensity he saw in their style of play.
“The style of football they play really impressed me. I pride myself on effort areas and I could see that the Bulldogs do the same under Coach Cameron Ciraldo—they all work hard for each other,” he explained.
“I love seeing the boys chase hard off a kick, fight for every ball, and never give up. That’s the kind of team I want to be part of.”
The hard-hitting forward also opened up about his excitement to finally have the Bulldogs’ famously fierce supporters on his side rather than against him.
“I can’t wait to get out in front of the Bulldogs fans. I’ve played against them and felt that crazy atmosphere—they’re loud, passionate, and intense,” Thompson laughed.
“I’m just glad they’ll be cheering for me this time.”
Looking ahead, Thompson made no secret of his ambitions in blue and white.
“Personally, I want to take my game to another level—and I want to win a premiership,” he declared.
In an interesting twist, the rugged forward will reunite with his former Newcastle Knights boss, Adam O’Brien, who is set to join Cameron Ciraldo’s coaching staff as assistant in 2026.
The Bulldogs’ rebuild continues to gather momentum, with the arrivals of Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Sea Eagles), and Fletcher Baker (Broncos) set to bolster the squad ahead of their 2026 NRL season opener against the Dragons in Las Vegas.
The signing of Leo Thompson marks another major statement from Canterbury—a show of intent that the club means business heading into the next chapter of its resurgence.
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