Lowrie switches to Eels

Parramatta has snared Newcastle backrower Todd Lowrie on a three-year deal, while also re-signing five of its own players.The Knights have several players vying for spots in their backrow, and Lowrie was hopeful a switch to the Eels would help him play in his preferred position.

"I'm disappointed to be leaving Newcastle and I'll miss my friends and team mates, but I've accepted my future is elsewhere and I'm excited about the challenges ahead," Lowrie said.

"The Knights have a surplus of backrowers so I'm going to a club where I have the chance to cement my preferred position."

Knights CEO Ken Conway said he would have liked to have kept Lowrie, but there was no room under the salary cap.

"It’s always disappointing to lose local juniors due to salary cap restrictions but we're not in the business of holding back our players from making the most of opportunities," Conway said.

"We felt obliged to repay Todd’s service to the club by allowing him to field other offers.

"It's unfortunate but we were unable to match Parramatta. Todd has been an excellent junior and a great ambassador for the Newcastle Knights."

Meanwhile Luke Burt, Aaron Cannings, Blake Green, Josh Cordoba and Weller Hauraki all re-signed for the club, which had already retained the services of Chad Robinson, Jarryd Hayne, Fuifui Moimoi and Ben Smith.