Junior Paulo has almost certainly played his last game for Parramatta, with the powerhouse prop expected to officially become a Raider as soon as Saturday.
Paulo was expected to play at least one more game for the Eels, including Monday night's clash against Newcastle, before swapping sides. However, the Samoan prop is keen for a fresh start after receiving a police warning for consorting with underworld figures and is hoping to be immediately released to the nation's capital.
Paulo has already signed a lucrative offer to join Canberra for next year and the Green Machine were hopeful of securing him earlier when Parramatta's salary cap scandal broke. It appears they have now got their man, although the clubs still have to finalise the terms of his release over the weekend.
Raiders forward Mitch Barnett has been agitating for a release to join Newcastle for several months and the acquisition of Paulo is likely to allow that to happen. Newcastle and the Raiders had been in talks about a player swap of Barnett for Joseph Tapine earlier in the year, but in the end Tapine was the only forward to shift clubs.
Paulo, regarded as one of the best young props in the game, has a close bond with his Eels teammates but is keen for a new beginning for his young family.
