Catalans Dragon captain Greg Bird has quit the club to join NRL side Gold Coast Titans for 2010.
Former captain heads back to Australia to join NRL's Titans
Catalans Dragon captain Greg Bird has quit the club to join NRL side Gold Coast Titans for 2010.
The 25-year-old will join the Queensland club on a 12-month deal after rejecting a new two-year contract with the Catalans.
The stand-off or loose forward has had countless off-field controversies throughout his career overshadowing his on-field capability.
The two-time capped Australian was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on his 24-year-old American girlfriend Katie Milligan in August 2008, resulting in his contract being terminated with then club Cornulla Sharks.
Bird moved to the Catalans in May 2009 after he was prevented from joining Bradford Bulls due to his
visa being denied.
However Bird returns to the NRL as a free agent after completing a short-term deal with the French Super League club following a
clearance from a Sydney court for reckless wounding.
Opportunity
Bird is grateful for the opportunity to return to Australia after being axed 15 months ago.
Bird said: "They (the Titans) stood by me after what's been an awful time when they could have turned their back and taken the soft option.
"A lot of the work the Titans put forward about the community and what they do and about helping me deal with what I've been through impressed me."
The former Shark and Dragon looks to rebuild his career after a turbulent two years.
Bird said: "It hasn't been the most enjoyable 15 months of my life.
"I admit that I handled the situation totally wrong and I'm sorry for everyone involved. I'm looking forward to my time on the Gold Coast. I'm out of Sydney and I'm away from everything that happened down there."
Under the NRL's new rules governing players giving players a second chance, the Titans will face huge financial penalties if Bird re-offends.
Nevertheless Titans coach John Cartwright is delighted with his capture.
Cartwright said: "He's an old school type player with the athleticism, speed and size of a modern player.
"Greg has proven to be a gutsy competitor at the highest level so he will bring a real hunger to win with him to the Titans.
"He is still just 25 years of age and I believe his best football is in front of him."
