The Canberra Times understands Carney has agreed to a one-year deal with an option for a second year. The option keeps the door open for a potential return to the NRL in 2010.

The Raiders sacked the 22-year-old earlier this month following a series of off-field incidents.

As a result, the NRL deregistered Carney until the end of next season.

Wigan coach Brian Noble is likely to use Carney at five-eighth next year as a direct replacement for incumbent No6 Trent Barrett who has signed with the Cronulla Sharks for next season.

Carney will link with former Parramatta bad boy Tim Smith in the halves at Wigan. Smith is contracted to the club until the end of next season with an option for 2010.

There was speculation he would link with the New Zealand Warriors next year, but his manager David Riolo has hosed down such talk.

While Carney will head abroad next year, his former Raiders teammate Glen Turner will remain in the national capital.

Turner yesterday signed a two-year deal with Canberra to further bolster the team's forwards stocks.

Turner, who joined the Raiders in 2007 from the Melbourne Storm, had been struggling to finalise his future in a season which has seen him hit with injuries.

The club initially delayed chasing his signature as a result of his ongoing injuries the 29-year-old has played only 10 games this season and none since round 19.

After the deal was finalised yesterday, Turner admitted relief was his overwhelming emotion.

''I've had a bit of an unsettled season with the injuries and it's been hard as a result of that but I'm just glad it's all done and that I get to remain here,'' he said.

''There was a bit of interest elsewhere and an option was to head overseas which I could have taken up but the Raiders is who I wanted to play with and thankfully that's the way it's played out.''

Raiders chief executive Don Furner hoped Turner's experience would benefit the club's younger forwards.

''We have some great players coming through the juniors and to have a player of Glen's experience helping them into first grade can only be a positive for the club,'' he said.

Turner is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.