Former Australian Test threequarter Jamal Idris has left the Gold Coast to link with Penrith Panthers, in a player swap for Brad Tighe
The 23-year-old Idris, homesick for his family in Sydney, asked for a release on compassionate grounds and was quickly allowed to leave.
The Titans wanted to free up some money – they were paying Idris $500,000 a season, and he had missed many games through chronic injury.
Idris first made a name for himself with Canterbury during a four-year stint after making his debut as a teenager.
He was named 2009 Dally M Rookie of the Year. The following year he played one State of Origin match and in 2011 made his lone international appearance for Australia, in the Anzac Test against the Kiwis.
Idris is the latest recruit in Penrith’s heavy recruiting campaign for this upcoming season.
Others signed up include Broncos’ Origin and Scotland scrum half Peter Wallace, Dragons and London Broncos stand-off Jamie Soward, New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis World Cup forward Elijah Taylor, the Sharks’ exciting young back-rower Tyrone Peachey and veteran Manly international prop Brent Kite.
