St George Illawarra Dragons utility back Jordan Pereira says he couldn’t be happier with his recent mid-season move to Wollongong.
Pereira, who is now in his third week at the Dragons, said that while he had always hoped of playing on the big stage, the move south all came as a surprise.
"I only found out [I had a deal with the Dragons] with a couple of days' notice," Pereira said.
"I signed with a manager and then a week later he said 'I have a contract for you down in Wollongong if you are keen' which obviously came as a shock."
The 24-year-old Wellington native is only in his fourth season playing rugby league after picking up the sport while living in Perth.
From there he linked up with the Mackay Cutters where he has spent the past few seasons plying his trade in the Intrust Super Cup.
"Wherever me and my partner go, we sort of just make a home for ourselves and call that home," Pereira said.
"I’ve made a lot of extended family friends over the years and have sort of been an honorary member of a lot of them.
"Everywhere I go I’ve had a lot of good people around me which makes everything a lot easier."
While Pereira is happy to ply his trade with Illawarra in the Intrust Super Premiership, he admits that donning the Red V jumper is his ultimate goal.
"If anyone says that [playing in the NRL] isn’t their goal then they are lying," Pereira said.
"That’s obviously the main reason I am here.
"You want to do what you can to push for a top grade spot, but obviously that starts with ripping in down in reserve grade."
