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Sonny Bill to cough up

Monday 18th August 2008

Time to pay up: Sonny Bill Williams

The Sonny Bill Williams transfer saga has finally came to an end with French club Toulon and signing an agreement with the Canterbury Bulldogs that will see the former Rugby League star dig deep into his own pocket.

Of all of Toulon's big name signings, Williams' arrival has caused the biggest stir, for all the wrong reasons. The Kiwi code-crosser will finally be able to train with his new club in relative peace and quite, away from helicopters and photographers that have hounded the Toulon's training grounds.

After weeks of tension, mudslinging and court applications the Bulldogs and RCT have finally come to an agreement over Williams 'transfer'.

"A financial agreement will be signed. Sonny will pay the majority of the amount asked by Canterbury himself and RC Toulon will help him by paying a small part," Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal told the French press during the club's 12-19 pre-season friendly loss to Toulouse on Thursday, while Williams sat in the stands after initially having been expected to play.

48 hours later, after long negotiations, both sides finally put pen to paper in an agreement that will see the Bulldogs put an end to their legal proceedings against Toulon and Williams.

While the exact amount of the deal has not been revealed, the Bulldogs announced on Monday that they had "received a significant compensation payout from Sonny Bill Williams after he abandoned the club with seven games remaining of the 2008 season and with another four years to serve on his contract."

The settlement also stipulates that Williams cannot play for any other NRL club until the end of the 2012 season when his deal with the Bulldogs was due to expire.

Following on from a Supreme Court ruling that he would be in contempt of court if he played for any Club other than the Bulldogs, representatives of Williams made contact with the Club on Wednesday, for the first time since he walked out nearly four weeks ago, seeking a resolution to the matter.

"We have signed a bad agreement, but it's always better than a good court case," Boudjellal told the AFP.

"I'm relieved for the player, because he will now be able to concentrate on his rugby. This situation was starting to weigh him down."

It was no doubt the actions of the New South Wales Court that brought about a change in Williams' tune as his house and other assets reportedly risked being seized his if he disobeyed the court order.

Williams in now expected to make his much anticipated Top 14 debut against Clermont on August 26.

"He's an exceptional player with the physique of Jonah Lomu and the speed of Bryan Habana," said Boudjellal.

"According to Tana (Umaga), Williams has the potential to become the best player in the world."