Dylan Walker says he was disappointed to not receive an offer to stay at Parramatta beyond this season as the experienced utility prepares to leave the NRL to take up an offer in the Super League.
Walker, a veteran of 14 NRL seasons, showed he still has the skill and intelligence to play in Australia after setting up Kelma Tuilagi with a brilliant no-look flick pass in Parramatta's 23-14 win over Manly on Sunday.
The 31-year-old, who is off contract at the end of this season, says he was open to extending his time with Parramatta.
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But after being unable to land a fresh deal with the Eels for 2027 - and also being overlooked by the Perth Bears - the four-cap Australian international has put pen to paper on a three-year contract with Leeds.
"My kids will stay here with their mother, and that will be the hardest part," Walker told AAP.
"Parra's been a good club, a good stop point for myself, and it would've been nice to get one more year, but you've got to make the best decision for yourself.
"It's disappointing to not get one here, but I've got to make a grown-up decision and they (the Eels) have got to make a decision, it's a business.
"I had conversations (with Perth), but they weren't keen, and a lot of people weren't keen, to be fair.
"It's a young man's game now. I think everyone's waiting for the next best young thing, which I get, and you get a few no's and you know you're meant to be where you're meant to be and I'm excited."
Walker's moment of flair was followed by an opportunistic try and late field goal to Jonah Pezet, whose time at the Eels has been hampered by recurring hamstring injuries.
Pezet will also leave Parramatta at season's end, having agreed to sign with the Eels as a stop-gap before moving to Brisbane for 2027.
"I just need to keep being consistent and keep playing footy wherever it is and keep putting my best foot forward and helping the team win games," Pezet said.
"It's no secret that we haven't won enough footy games this year, and we want to finish the year strong and I want to finish the year strong individually."
Parramatta face the Sydney Roosters on Saturday and will hope to call on captain Mitchell Moses, provided the NSW five-eighth gets through Wednesday night's State of Origin decider unscathed.
Australian Associated Press
