Sims completes mid-season shift to Dragons

Tariq Sims' impending move to St George Illawarra has been fast-tracked, with Newcastle agreeing to release their NRL co-captain to the Dragons with immediate effect.

Sims had already agreed to a three-year deal with the Dragons beginning in 2017, however negotiations had long been under way for the move to be made earlier.

"Tariq is a natural leader having most recently been co-captain of the Newcastle Knights and we know that he will be a good fit for our club," Dragons recruitment manager Ian Millward said.

A NSW south coast junior, the 26-year-old who can play both back and front-row will add some much-needed starch to the Dragons pack.

Sims was 18th man for NSW in last year's State of Origin decider, and was heralded as a vital signing for Newcastle when he joined the club from North Queensland at the start of the 2015 season.

He failed however to make the desired impact in his 27 games for the club, scoring just four tries and tasting victory on only five occasions.