Pearce agreed to a four-year $4 million deal on Thursday in a move that could push Newcastle within reach of the top eight in 2018.

But Gallen has thrown caution to the wind as the NSW halfback joins a struggling side which has collected the past three wooden spoons.

Pearce was blessed with a superstar side at the Roosters before his release following the signing of Cooper Cronk.

And while the Hunter club has recruited well, the dressing room will resemble nothing like the sheds at Bondi which were filled with representative and premiership-winning players.

And Gallen reckons Pearce is in for a tough initiation as he tries to turn the club’s fortunes around.  

“ ... While he will be well compensated financially at the Knights, I will say he has taken a huge risk footy-wise in signing on with the current wooden spooners,” Gallen wrote in his Sporting News column.

“As for winning competitions, well, I just can’t see that happening for a long, long time. At the Roosters, Mitchell shared a dressing-room with internationals and State of Origin players.”

Gallen went as far to say Pearce’s rep career could be over.

“I fear Mitch’s rep career may be a casualty of having to do it all at club level,” he said.