Taylan May signs with Wests Tigers as club ramps up its pursuit of off-contract Broncos captain
Taylan May will join Wests Tigers for the remainder of the season after securing a train-and-trial deal, as the club ramps up its pursuit of Broncos playmaker Adam Reynolds.
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Wests Tigers have signed Taylan May for the remainder of this season and are heaping pressure on Brisbane to reach a deal for Adam Reynolds as they wait in the wings with a contract for the Broncos playmaker.
The Tigers finalised a train-and-trial contract with May on Tuesday morning as they prepare to unite the former Penrith back with his brother Terrell for at least the remainder of this season.
In the background, the Tigers also remain in the mix for Reynolds as they look to poach the 34-year-old from the Broncos next season.
Brisbane have been locked in talks with Reynolds over a one-year extension but the Tigers have made their interest known and it is understood they have tabled a more lucrative deal as they look to lure him back to Sydney.
It is understood that Reynolds could make a call as early as this week. May, meanwhile, completed a medical at the Tigers on Monday before signing on the dotted line with the club on Tuesday morning.
The Samoan international has been without a club since parting ways with Penrith last year after being charged over domestic violence allegations.
The charges were withdrawn three months ago and May has since spent time in a mental health facility undergoing treatment.
The Tigers had a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old. Chief executive Shane Richardson met May when the charges were first withdrawn, prior to the outside back checking himself in for treatment.
The talks resumed recently after he checked out of the mental health facility. Souths coach Wayne Bennett also showed an interest in May and he was given a tour of the club’s Heffron Park headquarters.
However, the Tigers have won the battle to secure his signature.
“Clearly, Taylan is a quality player who will further strengthen our squad in the back end of the competition,” Richardson said.
“But we also believe his best chance of success on and off the field is if he is around family and friends.
“He will now have the chance to not only return to a team environment but also to play alongside his brother Terrell – which is important to him.”
Richardson said the Wests Tigers key community program, Empower focused on respectful relationships.
“So Taylan, like all our players, will be joining a club which has a culture of putting healthy relationships first,” he said.
“Taylan has made enormous strides since we first met with him 10 weeks ago through voluntarily attending education and counselling sessions.
“All players deserve a second chance and we think this is the environment which gives him the best chance of success both on and off the field.”
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