Shamed Paddy Jackson WAS offered £1million deal to join Sale Sharks despite club rubbishing claims
Ireland rugby union star was so close to joining that both parties signed a pre-contract Heads of Terms agreement, which The Sun has seen
DISGRACED Ireland rugby union star Paddy Jackson WAS offered a deal to join Sale Sharks — despite the Premiership club’s angry denials a week ago.
Jackson was so close to joining that both parties signed a pre-contract Heads of Terms agreement, which The Sun has seen.
Coach Steve Diamond publicly slammed claims that Jackson — at the centre of a rape trial in March in which he was cleared by a jury — would be joining Sale.
The club even posted an official statement, insisting: “There is no substance to rumours currently circulating in relation to the signing of the two international rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.”
Yet SunSport can reveal that not only were discussions held between the two parties, but a HoT form was signed by both at the end of April.
That is effectively a pre-contract, arranging everything from wages, length of contract and various clauses, which is finalised when a player registers with his new club. It is usual practice in most sports and comes after negotiations involving the player, his representative and the club.
Under the HoT, The Sun understands Jackson would have been paid in the region of £1million over three seasons.
There would also have been a relegation clause, allowing either side to negate the contract.
Jackson, 26, became available after he and Olding — who was never seriously on the Premiership club’s radar — had their contracts revoked by Ulster last month following the rape trial.
Both were found not guilty, with Jackson also acquitted of sexual assault. Yet there was further controversy when details later emerged the players had exchanged sexually-explicit social media and text messages.
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After his dismissal, Jackson — who has won 25 Irish caps — was swiftly linked with a move to the Sharks.
It sparked a storm of protests from outraged sponsors and supporters, many of whom threatened to cancel season tickets if Jackson joined.
Diamond, 50, insisted it was media speculation and claimed there were never any plans to sign Jackson — even though the pre-contract terms were signed by then.
When asked if they could explain why there was a signed agreement, Sharks media manager Sam Diamond responded: “The club are not making a comment on it — there is no comment to be made.”