Ben Barba signs for the Broncos

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BEN Barba is officially a Bronco after being granted a release by the Bulldogs.

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Canterbury's hierarchy, including coach Des Hasler, have agreed to rescind Barba's contract, clearing the path for the reigning Dally M Medallist to join the Broncos next season.

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The 24-year-old agreed to terms with the Broncos on Wednesday and said it was a relief to have his future sorted out.

"It's been a tough 12 months for myself, coming off a stellar year and struggling at the start of the year with all the stuff," Barba said, referring to his standing down at the beginning of the season for off-field issues.

"It's good to finally have a decision made. A lot of stuff's off my back.

"It's stressful when you doing and you don't know what's going on. For a decision to be made, it's so much relief."

Barba also had huge praise for Bulldogs coach Des Hasler and former CEO Todd Greenberg, saying the pair "not only saved my footy career, but my life".

"When I was struggling there at the start of the year these two guys stuck beside and kept me at the club and got my feet back on the ground. I can't thank them enough."

Broncos players are aware of Barba's impending arrival after being notified Brisbane hierarchy had successfully brokered a release.

The Titans and Cowboys had reportedly expressed interest in Barba but the Broncos have won the race for his signature.

The Mackay product had another two years to run on his Canterbury deal but has been granted a compassionate release to follow ex-partner Ainslie Currie, who is moving to Brisbane with their two young daughters.

Barba's acquisition is a significant coup for Queensland's flagship NRL club, who will now set their sights on securing the signature of Canberra's boom backline whiz Anthony Milford.

Brisbane initially discussed a four-year term but Barba will instead sign a three-year deal, securing him to the Broncos until the end of 2016.

The Queensland Origin hopeful is slated to play fullback next season, with current custodian Josh Hoffman likely to play wing or temporarily fill in at right centre for Justin Hodges, who is due to return from an achilles injury midway through 2014.

Barba is the club's second major signing for next year, with the Broncos last month securing Roosters prop Martin Kennedy to a three-year deal.

Reports last week indicated Barba's management were seeking a $1 million package, including $500,000 in marquee and third-party agreements, to deliver the fullback dynamo to Brisbane.

But it is understood Barba will not get a pay rise, with the Broncos effectively taking over the $350,000-a-season deal he had with the Bulldogs.

As part of the severance deal, the Broncos are likely to pay an undisclosed amount in compensation to the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle claims the fact Barba will be paid the same amount by Brisbane as he would have by the Bulldogs proves the superstar's release was not financially motivated.

"No, it's genuinely family reasons," Castle said.

"They've taken the two-year contract as is across, so it's not about financial with him.

"It's been a tough decision for the club to release him, it's been a difficult decision for Ben to make the decision to go.

"Ultimately when you've got a player that comes to you and says to you `this is a family situation and I think I'm going to be a better player and a better person when I'm closer to my family', that's a really hard thing to say no to."

The third-year of Barba's deal with the Broncos has been negotiated separately, with Castle adding that no restrictions had been placed on Barba playing against the Bulldogs.

Neither club would speculate on the compensation being paid to the Bulldogs.

Broncos chief executive Paul White said the deal had been thrashed out over the past four weeks and involved a ``reasonable but certainly not excessive'' compensation.

"These negotiations have not been based on financial considerations," White said.

"What has played a heavy role is Ben's commitment to his family and a desire to return to Queensland.

"We have struck a compensation deal with the Bulldogs and the terms and conditions are ... reasonable but certainly not excessive.

"We understand the investments the Bulldogs have made in Ben both on and off the field part in the last 12 months and we have taken that into consideration."

White said Barba did not have any behavioural clauses added to his contract despite his off-field troubles at the Bulldogs.

Barba was stood down by the club for the opening three rounds of the season as he sought professional help to deal with a series of personal issues.

"Ben Barba is ill and he needs help," then chief executive Todd Greenberg said in February.

Barba is attempting to reconcile his relationship with Currie, but has struggled to reach the heights which saw him named the best player in the game last year.

White said Barba would need to fit in with the culture at the Broncos.

"Ben will understand from the get-go what those expectations are," he said.

"I am looking forward to what he can offer not just the team but also the community up here.

"He is a proud indigenous man and I think he can become a great role model for his people."
 

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