Out-of-favour St George Illawarra halfback Sam Williams will seek to resurrect his career in the English Super League after being granted an early release from the club.
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Williams will take up a short-term contract with French club Catalan Dragons until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at St George Illawarra following Benji Marshall's mid-season arrival in Wollongong from rugby union.
"We were looking for another player to create competition in our halves," Catalan coach Laurent Frayssinous told the club's website.
"Sam was looking for an opportunity. He is a talented and ambitious young player and will fit in well to our style."
Williams returned from a broken thumb to kick a dramatic match-winning field goal for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup on Saturday.
He started the preseason as former coach Steve Price's No 1 halfback option, but was overlooked for journeyman Michael Witt in the opening round win over the Tigers.
Twice the NSW Country representative fought his way back into the top grade, but could only manage four NRL games this season. His last was the 38-6 drubbing at the hands of the Bulldogs, the last match the Dragons played before luring Marshall to the club.
Witt was thought to have suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Cutters' win against Cronulla, leaving the Dragons thin on the ground for depth in the halves.