It’s not every day that rugby league fans witness the kind of buzz currently swirling around Hull FC and Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary. The rugby league world has been sent into a frenzy after reports surfaced that Hull FC have made a blockbuster play to lure Cleary—widely regarded as the best player on the planet—to the Super League with an unprecedented offer. The news, first aired on Fox League’s NRL 360, has sparked heated debate and wild speculation on both sides of the globe.
At the center of this storm is Garry Schofield, the Leeds and Great Britain legend who once starred for Hull in the 1980s. Schofield dropped the bombshell that Hull FC have tabled a four-year, £1 million-per-season deal for Cleary, whose contract with the Penrith Panthers runs out at the end of the 2027 NRL season. According to Schofield, the Black and Whites are determined to make Cleary the highest-paid player in Super League history—a move that would shake up the rugby league landscape like never before.
"This is from Garry Schofield; he says that Nathan Cleary has been offered £1 million a year for four years at Hull FC. That is big, big bucks. He’s certainly setting the level way up here," said Ben Elias, former Balmain Tigers player, reading Schofield’s claim live on NRL 360. The show’s host, Braith Anasta, who also serves as a player agent, confirmed the seriousness of the offer, adding, "That’s allegedly right; I believe it – and what it says is that he may go to November 1 and that’s big dollars. He wants to be closer to his missus, Mary Fowler."
Cleary’s personal circumstances have only added fuel to the fire. His long-term partner, Mary Fowler, is a rising star herself, currently playing for Manchester City’s women’s football team in England. The prospect of Cleary joining her in the UK has long been a topic of speculation among rugby league insiders, but this is the first time such a concrete—and lucrative—offer has been publicly discussed.
Under NRL rules, Hull FC cannot officially negotiate with Cleary until November 1, 2026, when he enters the final year of his contract with Penrith. However, reports suggest that Hull’s interest is very real and that an informal approach may have already been made as early as the start of this year. According to Love Rugby League, Cleary’s management initially indicated that a move to Super League was not on the cards, but with Cleary now seemingly intent on testing the open market, the situation could change rapidly.
For Hull FC, the timing of this audacious move is especially intriguing. The club recently confirmed that their Penrith-born coach, John Cartwright, will depart at the end of the current season—a decision announced just two days before the Cleary news broke. The Black and Whites are clearly in transition, and landing a player of Cleary’s calibre would represent a seismic statement of intent as they look to rebuild and challenge for Super League supremacy.
Cleary, who will play his milestone 200th NRL game against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Thursday morning, has already cemented his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats. The 27-year-old has been at the heart of Penrith’s stellar start to the 2026 season, and his consistency, leadership, and game-breaking ability have drawn comparisons to legends like Cameron Smith and Joey Johns.
Ben Elias was effusive in his praise of Cleary, stating on NRL 360, "I have never known anyone to say one bad word about this kid. His behaviour off the football paddock has been beautiful. His work ethic is probably the best in the game. The only two blokes I can compare him to are Cameron Smith and Joey Johns. Cameron Smith has got all the records, the numbers and the games but this bloke will clock him over for most points and games."
The magnitude of Hull FC’s offer cannot be overstated. If Cleary were to accept, it would be the biggest deal in Super League history—by some margin. The move would not only transform Hull’s fortunes on the field but also elevate the profile of the entire competition, drawing global attention and potentially paving the way for further marquee signings from the NRL.
Yet, for all the excitement, there’s a healthy dose of skepticism in the air. The idea of Cleary swapping the NRL for Super League, especially at the peak of his powers, has been described as "crazy, bonkers at best" by some observers. Even Schofield himself, while championing Hull’s ambition, acknowledged the audacious nature of the club’s pursuit.
Still, stranger things have happened in rugby league. Cleary has never ruled out a move to Europe, and his openness to exploring new challenges was on display last October when he told The Sydney Morning Herald, "I’ve loved my time in Penrith, and it’s home to me." But he also made it clear that he’s willing to consider offers from elsewhere, particularly with personal factors—like Fowler’s flourishing career in England—potentially influencing his decision.
With Cleary set to become a free agent in just over a year, the coming months promise to be fascinating. Rival clubs across both hemispheres will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely, with the possibility of NRL investment in Super League only adding to the intrigue. For Hull FC, the challenge will be to convince Cleary that a new chapter in East Yorkshire could be just as rewarding as his glittering run with the Panthers.
As the rugby league world waits for Cleary to make his next move, one thing is certain: Hull FC’s audacious offer has set tongues wagging and imaginations running wild. Whether this bold play results in the most sensational signing in Super League history or simply adds another layer to Cleary’s already compelling story, fans everywhere will be watching every twist and turn with bated breath.
For now, all eyes are on Cleary as he takes the field for his 200th NRL appearance—a remarkable milestone for a player whose future has never seemed more intriguing or uncertain. Hull FC’s gamble may be the talk of the town, but the final decision rests with Cleary, whose next step could redefine the rugby league landscape for years to come.