Josh Reynolds described his decision to join Wests Tigers as the "toughest of his life" after the Bulldogs' cult hero sent the halves merry-go-round into overdrive on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old has inked a four-year deal to join the Ivan Cleary revolution at Concord after the cashed-up Tigers blew the Bulldogs out of the water with an offer in the vicinity of $3 million. Canterbury are facing a salary cap squeeze with the imminent arrivals of Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods.
But a torn Reynolds, who had previously said the thought of leaving the Bulldogs made him "sick in the stomach", saw the writing on the wall given Canterbury's pursuit to reunite Foran with his former coach Des Hasler.
"I have had a fantastic time with the Bulldogs and loved every minute of it," Reynolds said in a statement on Wednesday night. "The mates I have made from here will be mates forever and this is all that really matters to me.
"The decision was the toughest I have ever had to make in my whole life but I wish the Bulldogs the best in the future. It is important for the club and myself that we focus everything on the team playing good football and finishing the season strongly."
Hasler described Reynolds as a "quality human being" and the former State of Origin representative's relationship with Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle is a particularly close one.
But the Bulldogs were forced to concede their offer fell way short of that offered by the Tigers, who will make Reynolds the cornerstone of a rebuild. "It is extremely sad that Josh is leaving the club," Castle said. "He embodies what it means to be a Bulldog and has always worn his heart on his sleeve and played with the utmost courage and passion.
"We have tremendous admiration for what he has done both on the field and in the community. Josh is a loyal person and a local junior so this was not a decision that was taken lightly.
"The harsh realities of the commercial marketplace and a salary cap system mean that this is a fantastic offer for Josh and leaves him in a position where he can secure his future and the club is completely supportive of his decision."
Reynolds won't seek an early release to join the Tigers - stifling Mitchell Moses' chances of joining the Eels mid-season - as the Bulldogs eye a return to the finals after their limp exit in 2016.
Reynolds, 28, told his Bulldogs teammates on Wednesday morning he was leaving the club.
"Josh has proven himself time and time again to be an incredibly competitive and passionate player and we look forward to him bringing that attitude to the club," Cleary said.
"He's going to bring to Wests Tigers a wealth of experience having been a part of finals, grand finals and State of Origin series. We're confident that the best is yet to come for Josh and look forward to him taking his game to the next level here."
Panthers pivot Te Maire Martin is still an outside chance of arriving at the Tigers mid-season - or even disgruntled Warriors speedster Tuimoala Lolohea - which would make Moses' exit more palatable for coach Ivan Cleary.
Reynolds' combination with Luke Brooks, the only one of the Tigers' "big four" set to remain at Concord next year, will be one of the more compelling halves duos in 2018.
"He's played Origin, so he's got a lot of experience ... I'll look forward to playing with him," Brooks said.
with AAP
