He has been one of their most experienced players since joining the club but after forcing their hand through numerous off-field incidents, there was no other option for the club.
After receiving a release request, the Gold Coast Titans granted Greg Bird a release from the final year of his NRL contract with the club.
Joining the club in 2010, he has played in 129 games for the club along with representative football for NSW, NSW Country, Australia, the Prime Ministers XIII and the Indigenous All-Stars side.
With the release settled, Titans CEO Graham Annesley wished Bird the best in whichever endeavour he pursues in rugby league.
“No one can doubt the commitment Greg has played with throughout his career whether it be for his club, his state, or his country,” said Annesley.
“He is a fierce competitor and always gives 100% which is why his team mates at all levels love playing alongside him”.
“We wish Greg the very best of luck and success for the remainder of his career”, Annesley concluded.
It is now confirmed, as Greg Bird returns to Super League side Catalans, whom he has previously played for.
The move back to Catalans came after Bird and club Chairman Bernard Gausch made a long-standing promise to return.
“I had always intendedto return to the Dragons and promised Bernard I would come back and win a premiership,” said Bird.
“They reached out to me and offered me a long term deal this week which I was only too happy to agreed to. I have fond memories of my time at the Dragons, it’s a wonderful place to live and my wife and I are excited to be taking on this new chapter in our lives.”
The club never lost contact with Bird and worked hard to get him in the past. They are pleased to have the veteran back on board.
“It’ was always going to happen, we have kept in contact with Greg and his manager Chris Orr every year and enquired about when Greg was going to return,” said club CEO, Christophe Jouffret.
Well aware of his abilities, the club know that Bird will play as well as he did in his first stint.
“He is the type of player our team needs to lead us on the field and with his experience and extremely competitive nature we look forward to having him again playing in the Catalan Dragons jersey,” added Jouffret.
Bird also harbours aspirations to coach professionally and upon the completion of his playing deal after three years, his additional two years will give him an opportunity to be involved with the Catalans junior ranks.