St George Illawarra have added an intriguing piece to what they hope will be a premiership-winning puzzle after the Warriors granted their request for an early release of Kiwi international Nathan Fien.
Fien, who had already agreed to a three-year deal in May to join the Dragons from 2010, was given an immediate release by the Warriors from the remainder of his 2009 contract.
With June 30 the last day an NRL club can register a player for this year, the Dragons moved swiftly to snare the utility.
"The circumstance arose for Nathan to join our club early, following an amicable discussion with the Warriors and his experience will add depth to our squad for the remainder of this year," Dragons coach Wayne Bennett said.
"Nathan is a versatile player and I am sure he will fit in well with our club, players and the style of football we like to play."
Fien, adept at either halfback or hooker, has been with the Warriors since leaving North Queensland in 2004, but hasn't played for the Auckland-based club since round 10 this year.
He will begin training with the Dragons next Monday and is expected to battle with Mathew Head for the role of bench utility in the club's run-in to the finals.
Head has struggled to make the spot his own as he continues his return from a debilitating knee injury, with Fien's early arrival only adding to the uncertainty surrounding Head's future at the club.
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club saw no reason to keep Fien at the club against his wishes.
"We were committed to Nathan staying at the club for the rest of the season," Scurrah said.
"But given that he asked for a release and that he hasn't been playing for the Warriors in recent weeks, it was only reasonable to allow him to take up this offer."
Fien said he was surprised at how fast the transaction occurred given he hadn't given much thought to joining the joint-venture club until next season.
"But with the offer coming from St George Illawarra, I had to make a decision by the deadline about my plans," Fien said.
"While I'm excited about the challenge ahead, it's sad to leave this club. I've had a great time with the Warriors, playing with the boys here."
