Canberra's rich history with Super League imports will continue in 2025, with one of the best young forwards to come out of England in many years joining the squad.
Since club legend Ricky Stuart took over as head coach more than a decade ago, the Raiders have brought in some of the best UK talent in rugby league.
Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman and George Williams have all enjoyed varying degrees of success during their time in the nation's capital.
More recently, middle-forward Morgan Smithies made the jump and played in all 24 matches for the Green Machine last season as they narrowly missed the finals.
Morgan Smithies had a solid first year in the NRL. Â Getty
This season, Stuart has brought in another Englishman and there's reason to believe he could be the best one yet if he adapts to the Australian version of the game.
Matty Nicholson starred for the Warrington Wolves last season, helping the side into the top-four alongside a host of ex-NRL stars including Matt Dufty and Paul Vaughan.
The 21-year-old has since signed a three-year deal with the Raiders and with two caps for England already under his belt, looms as a highly-underrated recruit.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports last week, fellow back-rower Hudson Young heaped praise on Nicholson for his adjustment to conditions during pre-season.
"The heat got him the first few days, but he seems to be adjusting well," Young said.
"He offers another layer to our second-row department and we've probably been a little bit skinny there for the past couple of years.
Matty Nicholson has joined the Raiders for 2025. Â PA Images via Getty Images
"Elliott Whitehead has been tremendous for the club and it's sad to see him move on, but that's footy and Matty Nic will bring that youth and he's been training really well.
"I'm excited to see how he goes."
Nicholson has crossed for 19 tries in 57 games – a quality strike rate for an edge forward – while proving himself as a strong worker in defence.
By no means the biggest forward in the game, Nicholson earned high praise from Sam Burgess – perhaps the best UK export in history – after his exit from the Wolves.
"I think he'll go really well," the Warrington coach told SEN Radio in December.
"He's obviously very young, he's only 21. He's a great athlete, he's fit, he's a student of the game so I'd love him to go over there and do well.
"He's got a bit to learn in his game but he'll certainly do that in the NRL."
Sam Burgess coached Matty Nicholson last year. Â Warrington
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine is another man buzzing about Nicholson's potential.
"He's good man, all the Poms always fit in with the Canberra boys – it's like he has already been here for ages," the new skipper said.
"Matty is a skilful dude and a good year of first grade will help him sink into NRL footy.
"He's come into the group really strong, he's a tough character and I'm looking forward to seeing how he plays this year."Â
Nicholson is expected to partner Young in the back-row for the Raiders when they kick off their season against the Warriors in Las Vegas on March 2.
