Luke Keary is heading home.
The Roosters legend has turned down a coaching offer from the Newcastle Knights to return to the club where he won two NRL premierships and made his name as one of the competition’s elite playmakers.
The 32-year-old confirmed he will take up a development and mentoring role at the Roosters from 2026, working closely with the club’s halves and younger players.
Speaking to Channel 9 News, Keary said the decision was simple - the chance to return to the club that shaped his career was too good to pass up.
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‘That’s my home’: Keary returns to Bondi
“I’m going to go back to the Roosters and have a small role with them,” Keary said. “I can’t wait. That is my home.”
While reports suggested he was weighing up a move to Newcastle to join former Roosters assistant Justin Holbrook’s coaching staff, Keary revealed his heart was always set on returning to Sydney.
He also downplayed any talk that this would be a stepping stone to becoming a head coach in the NRL.
“Definitely not,” Keary laughed. “I want to stay involved, definitely in coaching. I want to do a little bit with the younger guys and pass a bit of knowledge on.”
New chapter after glittering career
Keary, who came out of retirement in 2025 for a one-season stint with Catalans Dragons in the Super League, said he’s content with what he achieved as a player.
“If you told me that when I came out of school and had no contract, knocking around in Burleigh, I would have said you were silly,” he said.
“I was really, not upset but sad leaving the Roosters last year. It is cool to look back and see how far I came.”
The veteran five-eighth played 231 NRL games for South Sydney and the Roosters, scoring 48 tries and winning three premierships - one with Souths in 2014 and back-to-back titles with the Roosters in 2018 and 2019.
He also represented New South Wales once and played five Tests across stints with Australia and Ireland.
Keen to explore business and finance
While coaching will form part of his return, Keary said he’s also eager to explore opportunities off the field within the Roosters organisation.
“I’m really interested in the corporate side, too,” Keary said. “I’ve obviously done a bit of university stuff, so I’m interested in the business and finance side of things.”
The return of one of the club’s most decorated playmakers adds another layer to the Roosters’ off-field strength, with Keary’s influence set to extend well beyond the field as he begins his post-playing career back where it all began.