After a breakout 2025 season, Sydney Roosters young half Hugo Savala is in line for a new contract worth a “significant” pay rise, despite ongoing uncertainty over his long-term future at the club.
Currently on a development contract worth around $80,000 a season, the 23-year-old has become one of the Roosters’ breakout stories in 2025 after years of battling for opportunities in the NSW Cup.
Savala made his first grade debut for the Tricolours in Round 2 against the Penrith Panthers and has since played 17 games in the halves, cementing his spot alongside Sam Walker and edging out fellow young half Sandon Smith.
Although Savala is contracted with the Roosters until the end of 2026, he will be free to speak with rival clubs from November 1.
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The club is understood to be planning meetings with his management in the coming weeks to discuss a potential contract upgrade, though an extension is not guaranteed at this stage.
"They're going to sit down with his agent Steve Gillis over the next couple of weeks, offer him a significant pay increase," The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield said on Triple M's Sunday Sin Bin.
"How significant that will be depends on Cherry-Evans, because if he comes in and takes $800,000 of the cap, it doesn't leave enough for Savala."
Despite the uncertainty, Savala has made it clear he wants to remain with the Roosters, the club he supported growing up in Sydney’s east.
"Truthfully, in my heart, I'm a Rooster, and my goal was to play for the Roosters," Savala told Zero Tackle earlier in the year.
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"It means the world to me. I've gone for them my whole entire life, and I wouldn't want to do it for any other club.
"It was the best feeling. All my mates support the Sydney Roosters, and from Eastern Suburbs, and that's all we ever know, the red, white and blue.
"I'd love that (to lock down a regular spot in the team), but I've just got to play good footy and take care of myself.
"I just want to play consistent good football and hopefully try and make the team each week."