The Gold Coast Titans have made a bold and strategic move to secure the future of their club, confirming the re-signing of 21-year-old fullback Keano Kini on a mammoth multi-million dollar contract extension that will keep him on the Glitter Strip until the end of the 2030 NRL season.
Already signed through to 2026, the Titans wasted no time in locking down their most prized asset amid increasing interest from rival clubs and potential new franchises. The upgraded five-year extension, reportedly among the most lucrative in the club’s 18-year history, firmly places Kini in the upper echelon of earners across the NRL.
This latest contract positions him alongside the league's elite, joining names like Kalyn Ponga, Nathan Cleary, and his own Titans teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as one of the NRL’s highest-paid stars. The long-term investment is a significant show of confidence in a player whose career is still in its early stages but already brimming with promise.
Currently sidelined due to a neck injury that required surgery and threatened to end his 2025 campaign prematurely, Kini has nonetheless inspired the Titans hierarchy with his rapid rise and off-field professionalism. Head coach Des Hasler acknowledged both his talent and his character in a statement following the extension.
“Keano is still only in the early stages of his NRL career, but he’s already showed that he’s capable of having a huge impact on games,” Hasler said.
“He’s already represented his country at an International level.
“Keano’s professionalism and attitude has made him both a valued and well-liked member of the club both on and off field.
“Family is very important to Keano and he and his partner have just welcomed their first child and it’s great that they’ll be able to continue to raise their family here on the Coast.”
Kini burst onto the NRL scene in 2023, showing glimpses of brilliance that turned into full-blown dominance in 2024. His performances were so compelling that he was crowned the Titans’ best and fairest player for the season, a clear sign of his rising star status.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed beyond club level either. Kini earned his New Zealand Test debut in the 2024 Pacific Championships, further reinforcing his status as one of the most exciting young players in the game today.
For Kini, the new deal is about more than just money. It’s about building something lasting at a club he has grown to love, and a place he now calls home.
“We want to make this club successful on and off the field. That’s my number one goal,” Kini told News Corp.
“It’s the best thing for my family to live here on the Gold Coast and be around people we love at a club we love.
“I know the club hasn’t been very successful but we are heading in the right direction. We love the Gold Coast and it’s home now.”
The Titans, long searching for consistency and a winning identity, believe Kini can be the centrepiece of their next generation. With marquee stars like Fa’asuamaleaui and now Kini locked in for the long haul, the club is shaping a formidable core to build around.
Despite his injury setback, Kini remains optimistic about his return to full fitness and top form. The recovery process from neck surgery is ongoing, but the young fullback is using the time away from the game to study and improve.
“Once the injury heals and bone fuses it’ll be stronger than it originally was,” he said.
“I have no doubt I’ll be back to my form. This time off has given me time to rethink my game.
“Hopefully I can do what the other great players have done and come back even stronger.”
Kini’s absence has left a noticeable void in the Titans’ backline this season, but his impending return will provide a significant boost to the club’s ambitions. The 2025 campaign may be disrupted, but 2026 and beyond promise to be shaped by the playmaking brilliance of a fully fit Kini.
The move also sends a strong message to the rest of the league: the Titans are not just content with producing talent—they intend to keep it. As expansion looms and rival clubs circle emerging stars, Gold Coast’s aggressive retention of Kini underscores their determination to build a winning culture and compete at the highest level.
With long-term planning becoming more essential in the fast-moving landscape of professional rugby league, the Titans’ faith in Kini could prove to be the masterstroke that propels the club into a new era. And for Kini, the contract cements his status not only as a local hero but a foundational figure in Gold Coast’s future.