Former Origin star David Klemmer's time in NRL limbo comes to an end as Tigers grant immediate release
David Klemmer's time in limbo has ended, with the Wests Tigers announcing his immediate release to allow him to join the Dragons.
The former Origin and Test star had been exiled from the Tigers' top squad this year after management made the call to shop him around in an effort to get his hefty salary off the books.
That result has now been achieved, with Klemmer free to link up with the Dragons, a move that has been widely reported as a done deal.
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The short-term Dragons deal, which is only for the remainder of the 2025 season, ensures that Klemmer will be playing for his NRL future when he joins the Red V, and is still free to sign a deal elsewhere for next year should he wish.
Wests Tigers enforcer David Klemmer. Getty
"I've said publicly we are looking to bolster our middle forward stocks for this season so David is a great pick-up for us," Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said as the club announced the signing.
"He's a different body shape to what we've got in our forward pack currently and also brings some great experience at Test, Origin and club level."
Klemmer's arrival will likely clear the way for the release of highly paid front-rower Francis Molo, who has been agitating for an exit since falling out with Dragons management in the pre-season.
After announcing Klemmer's release, Tigers CEO Shane Richardson described him as "a great clubman".
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David Klemmer is tackled during the round nine NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
"We understand and support his desire to take on new challenges and we wish him and his family all the best in the future," Richardson said in a statement.
Klemmer is 31 and has played in the NRL for over a decade after debuting for Canterbury as a raw-boned teenager in 2013. He played 113 games for the Bulldogs before adding 81 games with the Knights and 44 for the Tigers after joining the joint-venture club at the start of the 2023 season.
He has also played 14 Origin games for NSW and been capped 19 times for Australia, with his last appearance at representative level coming in 2019.
