Newcastle Knights legend Matt Johns says his former club should chase Canterbury Bulldogs skipper James Graham.

Johns compared Graham to Newcastle icon and first premiership captain Paul Harragon saying the Englishman could have a similar effect in the Novacastrian city.

“I tell you what, James Graham would be absolutely perfect, I kid you not, for Newcastle. He would be perfect,” Johns said on Monday Night With Matty Johns.

“Newcastle in my opinion need to make him an offer that he can’t refuse – I think if they offer him a multi-year offer for big money, I reckon the Dogs will let him go.

“You think what’s in it for James Graham to go to Newcastle – in my opinion his impact would be so great in a short period of time in turning that club around.

“I reckon by the time he had three or four years there he would be as big a legend as Paul Harragon, that’s how big an impact James Graham could have on the Knights.

“He’s a winner, and what he would do is teach those young guys how to win, how to get up for football games.

“I reckon he could be the most important signing the club would ever make.”