Brian Kelly has secured an immediate release from the Gold Coast Titans and will join the Parramatta Eels, giving the club another experienced outside back as their rebuild under new coach Jason Ryles gathers momentum.
Both clubs announced the move on Wednesday morning, along with details of Kelly’s new contract, a two-year deal that will keep him at Parramatta until at least the end of the 2027 season.
The 28-year-old’s exit brings an end to a long stint on the Gold Coast, where Kelly developed into a reliable first-grade regular and one of the Titans’ more consistent performers.
Kelly arrives at Parramatta at a time when the club is reshaping its backline following the departure of Zac Lomax and a broader reset under Ryles after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
“We had an opportunity to strengthen our outside backs, which was a positional area of need, and Brian certainly fits that need very well for us,” Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said.
Capable of playing both centre and wing, Kelly adds versatility, try-scoring ability and experience to an Eels side desperate to improve sharply in 2026.
Across his NRL career, Kelly has played more than 150 first-grade matches, scoring over 50 tries while representing both Manly and the Titans since debuting in 2016.
He has also featured at international level for Samoa, bringing valuable big-game experience to a Parramatta squad looking to re-establish itself as a finals contender.
For the Titans, Kelly’s immediate release provides salary cap relief as the club continues to move on from past eras under new coach Josh Hannay.
Hannay has made waves early in his coaching tenure by cutting ties with multiple veteran players and investing heavily in youth, including well-publicised raids on rival development pathways.
At Parramatta, the Titans’ agreement to an immediate release solves short-term roster headaches and shapes as a low-risk, short-term solution for the Eels.
Kelly is expected to push straight into first-grade contention, providing competition for spots and leadership to a backline that has undergone significant change in recent seasons.
Still in his prime years, a change of scenery could see Kelly rediscover his best football, and if that happens the Eels may have secured not just depth, but genuine value for money during a crucial phase of the clubs Jason Ryles era.
