Valentine Holmes

Cowboys sign Valentine Holmes on six-year mega-deal after failed NFL stint

The Cowboys wasted no time snapping up the former Cronulla flyer, inking a deal until the end of the 2025 season barely 24 hours after Holmes was officially released by NFL franchise the New York Jets.

Townsville-born Holmes, 24, is tipped to don the No.1 jersey for North Queensland after signing the lucrative long term deal, reportedly worth almost $1 million a season.

While known for his prowess on the wing, Holmes played the majority of games in his last NRL season in 2018 at fullback for the Sharks, scoring 22 tries in 26 games with a league leading 26 line-breaks.

Valentine Holmes could be set to sign 'lucrative' deal with Cowboys after NFL setback

The former Cronulla Sharks star suffered a setback in his bid to cut it in American football after failing to land a berth in the New York Jets' roster for the current season.

But he is now ready to head home and sign a lucrative deal with the Cowboys, worth around $1 million a season, with "only an eleventh-hour change of heart" likely to block his return to Australia, according to News Corp Australia.

The deal could put the block on the Cowboys signing Sydney Roosters' star Latrell Mitchell, who has been heavily linked with a move north to Townsville in recent days.

Ex-NRL star Valentine Holmes acquired by New York Jets as NFL dream inches closer

Having spent the past three months at Florida's IMG Academy learning how to train and play American football, Holmes along with six other international athletes trialled for scouts of all 32 NFL sides last week, competing for one of four spots available among the AFC East sides.

Holmes clearly impressed scouts - with rumours mounting he was sought after by the Jets, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Flanagan: Holmes is Sharks No.1

Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed there will be no positional switch in the Telstra Premiership for his talented speedster. 

“The speculation about Val comes because of how good he plays on the wing, not how poorly he plays at fullback,” Flanagan told NRL.com.

Holmes happy learning from Slater

Holmes scored six tries for Australia on Friday night, equalling New Zealander Hugh McGahan's 1983 Test record, and breaking his own record for the most tries in a single World Cup match. 

The Sharks flyer had set that record just a week before, scoring five four-pointers against Samoa before backing it up against the Bati with six in the Kangaroos' thumping 54-6 semi-final victory. 

These outstanding back-to-back performances have sparked debate about whether Holmes is a better winger or fullback, with the man himself preferring to wear the No.1 jersey. 

Holmes scores six as Australia thumps Fiji

Holmes's stunning return came on the back of his five-try performance against Samoa last week, as the Kangaroos ran away with a 10-tries-to-one victory.

The Fijians started with intensity in the early exchanges and opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the second minute. 

Jarryd Hayne was in the thick of it early with a big hit on Billy Slater but his team conceded too many penalties to stay in the contest.

Holmes proves Test worth on wing

There's no doubting the Kangaroos look a far more formidable football team with Billy Slater in the No.1 jersey. 

They tinkered with the formation of their side last week and handed Holmes the responsibility of playing fullback against Lebanon.

Holmes's Origin II surprise

The Maroons' newest debutant will replace Oates on the wing in Game Two, with the 22-year-old Brisbane Bronco axed from the side after playing four-straight games for Queensland

Oates was one of Queensland's best in their 28-4 loss to the New South Wales Blues in Game One, running for 158 metres and scoring a try. 

Holmes finds a home at the back

The 21-year-old Townsville product has been touted as a future fullback during a three-year apprenticeship on the Cronulla wing behind first Michael Gordon then Ben Barba, but is now in the mix with Kiwi international Gerard Beale and fellow young-gun Jack Bird for the fulltime No.1 jersey moving forward.

Holmes still in doubt for Sharks

Holmes was tipped to be the man to replace Ben Barba following the premiership-winner's defection to French rugby, but a hamstring injury picked up in the trials has scuttled those plans for the time being.