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THE Dragons have granted Kiwi International centre Gerard Beale a release from the final year of his contract to take up a multi-year deal with Cronulla.
The club has also confirmed the signing of former Origin centre Dane Nielsen after the Warriors granted him an early release to join the Dragons for the next two seasons.
Beale joined the Dragons in 2013 with the aim of making the fullback position his own but suffered a season-ending knee injury in just his fifth match for club.
Beale proved one of the club’s most durable players in 2014 not missing a match as the Dragons late finals charge fell two games short.
With just one year remaining on his Dragons contract, coach Paul McGregor said the club didn’t want to deny Beale the chance to take up a long-term deal with the Sharks.
“Gerard has been provided an opportunity to join the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on a multi-year contact which he has accepted ahead of next season,” McGregor said.
“The Dragons would like to thank him for his services to our club and wish him the very best for his future.”
McGregor also welcomed the signing of Nielson for the next two years saying the 29-year-old - who won a premiership with Melbourne in 2012 - will bring valuable experience the Dragons roster.
“An opportunity has arisen to acquire the services of Dane who is eager to meet his new teammates and commence pre-season training,” McGregor said.
“He is a premiership-winning centre who has played representative football for Queensland and will provide great value and experience to our squad.”