Sonny Bill Williams is set to become the first ever athlete to own shares in the club he plays for if, as expected, he signs with the Toronto Wolfpack in the coming days.

Foxsports.com.au has learned that the former Bulldog and Rooster and current All Black will break new ground in an unprecedented deal if he chooses to join Super League’s Canadian newcomers.

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It can be revealed that 12-cap Kiwi international, who last played league in 2014, has been offered a groundbreaking contract – believed to be the first of its kind in professional sport – which will see him own equity in the company in perpetuity.

It’s understood to be the first time an active athlete will own shares in the club they play for, with Toronto saying they have sent their end of the contract off to Williams’ management to rubberstamp.

Sonny Bill Williams during his days with the Bulldogs Source: News Limited

His base annual salary will likely be in the region of $3.5m before tax.

Williams’ earnings are likely to rise when taking into account his chunk of the ownership of a club which has recently released its own brand of CBD (cannabinoid) products and is due to be publicly listed.

Only $300,000 of that salary will be counted on the Super League salary cap, owing to a marquee player ruling which sees the rest of the wage exempt.

The Wolfpack want to formalise the deal in time so they can reveal a squad number at an official function taking place at London’s Canada House on Thursday 7 November.

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Sonny Bill Williams warms up in his final game for New Zealand Source: Getty Images

Toronto owner David Argyle told foxsports.com.au on Saturday: “This is a unique offer and one which is unprecedented in rugby.

“It shows the innovation the Wolfpack is bringing to the sport as the world’s first transatlantic franchise, alongside our public listing and introduction of club-branded CBD products.

“Sonny is a phenomenal player, and if we can sign him it would be a huge boost for rugby in North America. It’s now simply a case of dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.

“We are currently in discussions about making his first year – and the Wolfpack’s – in Super League into a documentary series.”

Toronto Wolfpack captain Josh McCrone celebrates their promotion to Super League Source: Getty Images

The wheels for this landmark move began with Brian Noble the former Great Britain coach and the Wolfpack’s rugby director making contact with Williams’ representative Khoder Nasser last year, before making their pursuit of the 34-year-old publicly known.

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Argyle told this website in February: “Having someone of his talent join the Wolfpack would greatly raise the profile of the club, but also help move the game forward globally.

“He is rugby’s LeBron James and we see his recruitment as bigger than when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy. He is box office and puts bums on seats.”

Brian McDermott head coach of Toronto Wolfpack Source: Getty Images

The two camps have been in close contact, and it extended to Wolfpack coach Brian McDermott flying to Japan during the Rugby World Cup to meet with the All Blacks centre.

McDermott is a straight-talking former boxer and Royal Marine, turned international forward who doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

He is said to have been impressed by the Kiwi’s focus on the task at hand while the pair bonded over their love of the sweet science.

The ex-Leeds coach is one of the most-decorated of the modern era and guided Toronto to the Super League this year.