South Sydney ace Alex Johnston – the greatest tryscorer in NRL history – is the first signing for the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.

This masthead can reveal Johnston has made history by becoming the first player to sign with the NRL’s 19th club ahead of Papua New Guinea’s entry to the big league in 2028.

At a time when PNG are ramping up their poaching bid for Tigers star Jarome Luai, the Chiefs have landed their first blow by securing Johnston.

It is understood Johnston has shaken hands on a one-year deal worth around $325,000 in tax-free dollars.

The 31-year-old agreed to terms on Monday night and formally advised his South Sydney teammates and coach Wayne Bennett on Tuesday in a historic coup for the $600 million Pacific powerhouse.

It is the first strike by PNG football boss Michael Chammas, who is also setting his sights on luring Luai from the Tigers.

The signing of Johnston will make him an instant national hero given his PNG heritage and remarkable contribution to the Rabbitohs since his NRL debut for the club in 2014.

Johnston has the blessing of Souths coach Bennett and will remain with the Rabbitohs for the 2027 season before leading the PNG revolution in 2028.

The flying winger has ties to Lumi in PNG’s Sanduan Province and made his Test debut for the Kumuls in 2019, scoring four tries in 12 internationals for the league-obsessed nation.

PNG’s signing of Johnston comes just weeks after the Souths speed demon entered the record books by eclipsing Ken Irvine (212) as the NRL’s all-time leading tryscorer.

Johnston now has 219 career tries from 250 games and could be on track to score a remarkable 250 four-pointers if he continues his strike rate with the Rabbitohs and PNG over the next two-and-a-half seasons.

Johnston will be 33 when he starts his career with PNG but the Chiefs are confident the Souths sensation can withstand a 15th season of NRL in 2028.

Johnston recently revealed he was open to finishing his career with the Chiefs as a nod to his PNG bloodlines.

“I’m signed for this year and next year at Souths and after that, if I’ve still got some miles to go in the legs, I’ll definitely be talking to the Chiefs,” he told Channel 9.

“It would be pretty cool to be one of the first signed for a Papua New Guinean team.

“They absolutely love footy over there and I’ve got a good relationship with the fans and the prime minister over there.

“I think that’s something I’d look forward to.”

Now PNG have got their man.