Star Knights recruit David Klemmer says his new teammates and fans have helped make his early transition to the Hunter club extremely smooth.
The former Bulldogs prop was finally unveiled as the starch in the middle of the Knights pack recently and has been able to get a few sessions under his belt since an extended break following his end-of-season Kangaroos commitments.
"The boys have been really welcoming, all the coaches and people in the offices here as well," Klemmer told newcastleknights.com.au.
"It's been good, first couple of days have been pretty special. Just getting round, training with the boys, they're a good bunch and I'm really excited."
Asked to single out which players he had clicked with early on, Klemmer rattled off virtually half the squad.
"Connor Watson, he's pretty good, and Kalyn Ponga and Pearcey's been unreal," he said.
"Tim Glasby, Mitch Barnett, Fitzy (Lachlan Fitzgibbon), they've been awesome. I'm excited to work with them, just learning off them and trying to do my part."
Klemmer hoped the extended break hadn't dented his cardio fitness ahead of a gruelling pre-season.
"It's been all right, it's been a bit warm up here actually. Just getting back around that fitness and that footy routine has been pretty hard but I've been enjoying it," he said.
"I'm really excited for things to come, we've got a tough couple of weeks before Chrissy, just want to get a couple of Ks under my belt before then.
And on the club's famously parochial fans, he added: "They're pretty good, pretty nice, a couple came up to me after training [Tuesday] and had a yarn. They love their footy team, they love their rugby league so I just want to get around them and show their support."
