Dylan Walker has joined Parramatta after being granted an immediate release from the Warriors on compassionate grounds.
It comes as Newcastle hooker Jayden Brailey signs a two-year deal to join Canberra from next season.
The Eels announced on Wednesday that former NSW State of Origin representative Walker had signed to play the rest of the 2025 NRL season and also 2026 with the club.
The veteran utility will offer much-needed experience to an Eels side that has started life under coach Jason Ryles with three straight losses.
Walker won't be available to face his former club Manly with Parramatta on Sunday, but will available from round five against St George Illawarra.
His move to the Eels will come as Ryles continues to reshape their roster during his first year in charge.
Backrowers Bryce Cartwright, Kelma Tuilagi and Ryan Matterson are all off contract at the end of this year and languishing in reserve grade.
Walker could also fill in at five-eighth when required, after Dylan Brown's record-breaking move $13 million deal to move to Newcastle next season.
Walker had signed a three-year deal with the Warriors for the start of 2023, and was off contract at the end of this season.
Off-contract Brailey had also been linked with moves to the Eels and North Queensland after the Knights fashioned Phoenix Crossland into a starting hooker in recent years.
Brown's impending arrival at the Knights on record-breaking money from 2026 also spelt bad news for Brailey's hopes of securing an extension.
The 28-year-old will arrive at a Canberra side that has struggled for stability at hooker since Josh Hodgson's departure at the end of 2022, but that now has Brailey's veteran presence and highly-touted rookie Owen Pattie on the books for 2026.
Brailey endured an injury-plagued start to life in Newcastle, playing more than 10 games in only one of his first four seasons, before stringing together 23 appearances last year.
"He's a quality player," Sharks hooker and brother Blayke Brailey told AAP before the signing was confirmed.
"No matter where he goes, they're going to be lucky to have him. It's exciting times for him."
