NRL: Klemmer Signs With The Knights & Napa Replaces Him At The Bulldogs

Newcastle have confirmed the worst kept secret after securing one of the biggest recruits of the 2019 NRL season, signing NSW and Australian prop David Klemmer, while Dylan Napa has been released by the Roosters to replace Klemmer at the Bulldogs.

David Klemmer will be at Newcastle in 2019 after signing a monster five-year deal with the Knights until the end of 2023.

Klemmer, 24, was released by Canterbury on Monday in order make the $4.3 million move, while the Bulldogs have moved quickly to secure a replacement in the form of Queensland Origin star Dylan Napa.

Klemmer fronted Bulldogs officials with his wife, Chloe, after returning from international duty, seeking an immediate release from his contract at Canterbury. While the Bulldogs wanted to hold on to their star prop, they didn’t want to keep a player who didn’t want to be at the club and were trying to secure a replacement before agreeing to release the 24-year-old international.

“I would like to thank David for his time at the Bulldogs,” Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said.

“He played his first NRL match for the club in 2013 and ended up making 113 appearances, in addition to his representative honours. We have always said to David that we wanted him to stay at the club, but ultimately he and his family have made a decision around needing a change of environment.

“It has been a complex and challenging situation which we have tried to manage in the best interests of both parties.

“We now wish David and his family all the best in the next stage of his life.”

Klemmer’s signing is a massive coup for the Knights who have been searching for an experienced front-rower.

The NSW Origin star joins the likes of Tim Glasby, Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee, Mason Lino, James Gavet, Zac Woolford and Hymel Hunt as the Knights’ recruits for 2019.

Klemmer is due to start training at the Knights in December after his off-season break following Kangaroos duties.

Bulldogs fans will be more than happy with the replacement for Klemmer as Napa has been viewed as a promising up and coming prop.

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Napa, 26, will no doubt add plenty of aggression to the Canterbury pack after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.

“Signing someone of Dylan’s toughness and ability is a major coup for the club,” Bulldogs coach Dean Pay said.

“We really feel that we have got a high calibre footballer who will be a great addition to both our pack and our playing group as a whole.”

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