Russell Packer admits the chance to re-unite with Ivan Cleary at the Wests Tigers played a crucial role in being lured away from St George Illawarra next season.
Packer became the latest major piece in Cleary's rebuild at Concord after confirmation on Tuesday he had signed a four-year deal beginning in 2018.
It continues his strong relationship with the former Penrith mentor, who came close to bringing him to the Panthers when Packer first returned to the game from jail in 2014.
"Obviously I've got a great relationship with Ivan," Packer said on Tuesday.
"That factored into the decision. When you make these decisions, you don't rush into them and you think out all the pros and cons. You take time away and decide what's best for your family.
"That obviously played a role and I'm excited to secure my future, but that's definitely for 2018 onwards. I'll think about working with Ivan once this year's finished."
The 27-year-old Packer credited the Dragons for helping resurrect his career after he served 12 months in jail for assault, before his non-parole period was reduced from two years to one.
He said the club's initial faith in him made the negotiation process difficult.
"It means a lot, under the circumstances, coming to this club and having the ability to not only rebuild my career as a rugby league player but also my life and with my family," he said.
"I've got the utmost respect for everybody involved in this club from (chief executive) Peter Doust all the way down.
"There's too many people to thank but there's been a lot of people here that's helped not only myself, but my family, my children for the two and a half years we've been here so far."
Packer's move to Concord next year continues a recent signing spree that includes Packer's former Warriors teammate in Ben Matulino, and Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
The recruitment push comes after the club sensationally lost three of the so-called 'big four' in James Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Mitchell Moses.
The next big piece in the puzzle is expected to be out-of-favour Warriors utility back Tuimoala Lolohea, who is understood to be in negotiations on a mid-season release to join the Tigers.
Cleary described Packer as one of the standout front-rowers in the league so far this season, and said the current New Zealand international would play a leadership role at the club.
"He's a no-nonsense front-rower, he really knows what his job is and he delivers and I think he's only going to get better," Cleary said.
"I think he's going to have a very strong leadership role here. He's got a great story, a story of hard knocks and coming out the other side, and that will resonate with lots of the boys here."
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