Test prop David Klemmer is being described by some as the Newcastle Knights' new Paul Harragon and the "sort of person the club needs," after inking a 5-year deal reportedly worth more than $4 million.
The 24-year-old has already played 17 times for Australia and 12 times for NSW, and it's that test experience Coach Nathan Brown says the Knights have been seeking for some time.
With a wife and 3 young sons, Klemmer says the move from Canterbury was made with family in mind.
"It's very appealing to come up here and raise your family," he says, "my kids have lived in Western Sydney so coming up here will offer a different lifestyle - I'm very blessed and lucky..."
He says it took him a few months to mull things over but he's confident the move to Newcastle will be worth the heartache of leaving his Bulldogs teammates.
"That was stuff for 3 or 4 months I had to play through my head and the decision I had to make," he says, "I thought this was the best decision for my family and for me to improve."
Klemmer's signing represents a major coup for Newcastle, who'll be taking to the field with the likes of Herman Ese'ese, Jacob and Daniel Saifiti, Josh King and rookie Pasami Saulo.
The Knights have also welcomed signings of Queensland Origin prop Tim Glasby and prop forward James Gavet.
Coach Nathan Brown says he's looking forward to the challenge of guiding such an impressive side.
"From a coach's point of view, we're always under pressure, there's no doubt about that," he says, "when you sign good players you come under more pressure, but you'd rather sign good players and have more pressure than less, because the reality of it is we need good players."
Brown believes the Knights can undergo the same transformation as the Cowboys and Cronulla in the past 4 or 5 years, who he says broke their finals droughts with the addition of quality footballers.
"In Klemmer [we get a test player] who's coming into his prime - we're quite hopeful that with him, Timmy Glasby and Jimmy Gavet we've got some experienced middles that can help get Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce out on the front foot," Brown says.
David Klemmer is contracted to the Knights until late 2023.
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| New home: David Klemmer and his son pass the footy. |
