Wests Tigers have today released forward Ben Galea and winger Daniel Fitzhenry from their contracts to allow them to play in the English Super League.
Galea and Fitzhenry were contracted to Wests Tigers until the end of 2008 but have accepted offers to play for Hull Kingston Rovers.
They now follow Wests Tigers centre Paul Whatuira to England, who has agreed to terms with Huddersfield Giants.
All three played in the Wests Tigers premiership winning team in 2005.
Ben and Daniel approached the club about being released, said Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell.
The financial incentives for them to make the move to England were very good and the club was happy to grant their release.
Ben, Daniel and Paul have given fantastic service to Wests Tigers and we thank them for their efforts on and off the field.
They will always be part of the Wests Tigers family. We wish them all the very best for the future.
Ben Galea has had a stellar career with Wests Tigers after playing for the Balmain Tigers in 1999.
Galea played 150 games for Wests Tigers and sits second behind former prop John Skandalis for most matches for the club. Skandalis played 166 games.
The former City Origin forward established himself as a player with a high work-rate, a terrific fend, and a step that would make any outside back proud.
I would like to be remembered as someone who gave his best every week, Galea said.
Fitzhenry played 23 games for Wests Tigers in 2007 and leaves as the clubs leading tryscorer with 43 tries in 120 games. He amassed 172 club and career points.
His utility value to Wests Tigers was enormous, having covered full-back, wing, centre, five-eighth and even hooker during his stint with the club that started in 2002.
Whatuira leaves the NRL as a two time premiership winning centre, having won grand finals with Penrith in 2003 and Wests Tigers in 2005.
The New Zealand Test centre played 19 games this season to bring his tally to 58 games for Wests Tigers.
A renowned tryscorer, Whatuira and former utility John Wilson sit second behind Fitzhenry for most tries with 30.
Whatuira scored 53 tries in his 131 games in the NRL.
The departure of Galea, Fitzhenry and Whatuira now opens the door for some talented youngsters to step up to the mark at Wests Tigers in 2008.
This week, Wests Tigers had winger Chris Lawrence named in the Prime Ministers XIII team to play Papua New Guinea. Hooker Robbie Farah was also named but was later ruled out on medical advice.
Lawrence, who scored 16 tries in 18 games this season, is looking to secure Whatuiras centre position alongside Dean Collis.
Exciting young halves prospect Wayde Dunley and Lawrence were named in the Junior Kangaroos train-on squad in preparation for the upcoming Junior Kangaroos tour of Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand in October.
Wests Tigers also had Dene Halatau, Paul Whatuira, Bronson Harrison, Ben Teo and Taniela Tuiaki named in the New Zealand Kiwis train-on squad.
Young Balmain outside back Matt Parata was also named in the Junior Kiwis squad.
Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens said the selection of Teo was evidence that the clubs apprentice program working well.
Teo started the season as a Wests Tigers apprentice player before going on to play 14 games in his first season in the top grade.
Ben Teo is a fine example of the type of player that we are looking to step up and fill the shoes of Ben Galea in 2008, Sheens said.
