Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds walks away one year early

Josh Reynolds has left the Tigers with a year left on his contract as the club shakes things up in a desperate bid to end its finals drought.

Josh Reynolds is a Tiger no longer.

Wests Tigers have confirmed Josh Reynolds will leave the club after he inked a deal to play in the UK Super League in 2021.

Reynolds was contracted to the Tigers until the end of next season but was granted an early release to link up with Hull FC on a two-year deal, where he will be coached by 2005 Tigers premiership-winning captain Brett Hodgson.

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The five-eighth’s departure from Concord frees up some much-needed salary cap space for the Tigers, who have missed out on the finals nine years in a row.

Reynolds arrived at the joint venture club in 2018 on a monster four-year deal reportedly worth around $3 million. However, form issues, injuries and suspensions limited him to just 22 appearances in three seasons.

“I am grateful to Wests Tigers for the opportunity to represent this great club,” Reynolds said.

“I’d like to thank all the members, fans, administrators and coaches for their ongoing support. I’ll miss my teammates the most, and I wish them and the club all the best next season.”

Josh Reynolds endured a rough time at the Tigers.

The 31-year-old rarely played in his first-choice pivot position, often forced to play as a utility when Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks were preferred in the halves.

Reynolds has played for NSW four times and was part of the 2014 series-winning Blues, but has endured a tumultuous time at the Tigers where rep footy has never been on the cards.

The Tigers have been hamstrung in recent seasons by big-money deals handed out to senior players who, for various reasons, have failed to deliver on their pay packets. Reynolds’ exit frees up approximately $500,000 in the Tigers’ cap next year, giving them more purchasing power on the open market.

Penrith prop James Tamou will wear the orange and black next year while the Tigers have also signed talented Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue, and former NSW centre James Roberts.