South Sydney star Angus Crichton admits he was desperate to get his long-term future secured before the NRL season to focus on a potentially career-defining campaign.
Crichton made headlines over the summer when he had a troublesome finger amputated dropping an even bigger bombshell and joining the Sydney Roosters from 2019 onwards.
The 22-year-old has been touted as a State of Origin player this year - which would have increased his value - but feared continued negotiations may have stunted his progress.
He had also been linked with Cronulla and a return to rugby with the NSW Waratahs before deciding to join the Roosters on a three-year deal worth a reported $1 million a season.
"The negotiations were a pretty tough time for me," Crichton told AAP.
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"The hardest thing was making the decision and telling the people I thought I had to tell to go about it the right way. There were a few hard conversations.
"There was a bit of backlash the first couple of weeks but I really wanted to get it done now before the season started so I could focus on having a massive year.
"There are so many areas I want to improve it's not even funny. I'm not even close to where I want to be so this is a huge year for me."
He said the most difficult conversation was with Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe.
"It was tough man. We got on really well, he's a really good fella and he loves the club a lot. At the end of the day I had to do that face to face so I'm happy I did it," he said.
"We got on really well so that was the most important conversation to have."
Crichton insisted he will be unhindered by his amputated middle finger on his left hand following radical surgery of what has been a chronic joint injury.
Four times he fused his knuckle but it refused to heal.
"It took me a couple of days to adjust to it. Now I'm back to full training and passing, offloading, changing the ball in my hands," he said.
"I can't flip the bird with my left hand, that's about it. Everything else is normal."
