Wests Tigers sign Robert Jennings after Rabbitohs release

The Wests Tigers have secured the services of Robert Jennings on a two-year deal after he was granted a release from South Sydney.

Jennings, who visited Wests Tigers headquarters in Concord on Thursday afternoon to meet the players and coaching staff, is expected to formally begin training with his new club next week.

The Tigers have been trying to sign for Jennings for a couple of months, however the NRL’s salary cap investigation into the club and a potential $639,000 deduction in this year’s cap brought negotiations to a halt.

Club officials recently applied to the NRL for approval to sign Jennings, with the governing body giving them the green light to do so despite the cloud still hanging over their heads.

Jennings has been training with the Rabbitohs all off-season and even trained with the club on Thursday morning before joining the Wests Tigers.

There was a possibility the deal might have fallen through at the 11th hour considering George Burgess was weighing up a mammoth offer to join Parramatta before the start of the season.

However Burgess has decided to stay put, paving the way for Jennings to ink a deal with the Tigers where he is expected to battle out for a wing or centre spot.

Despite Jennings enjoying a break out 2018 campaign with 19 tries for Souths, football general manager Shane Richardson conceded the club couldn't afford to retain the 23-year-old.

“We tried everything we could to keep Robert at the Rabbitohs but unfortunately we aren’t in a position to be able to keep him as part of our squad due to salary cap constraints," Richardson said.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire was thrilled to add depth and potency to his back line.

"Robert is a quality young man who I’ve worked with before and seen develop in to the talented rugby league player he is,” Maguire said.

"He adds size, power and speed to our edges and is an excellent addition to our squad.

"Off the back of a strong season, I have no doubt he is going to fit extremely well in to our systems and I looking forward to watching him take the next steps in his career at this club."