They always say that home is where the heart is and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will return to his native New Zealand Warriors after the Canberra Raiders granted him an early release.
Nicoll-Klokstad, who made his debut at the Warriors, now returns to the club, after spending the last four seasons with the Raiders.
Since joining the Raiders in 2016, Nicoll-Klokstad played in 66 NRL games.
The move would, perhaps, not be happening, had Nicoll-Klokstad not suffered a neck injury that saw him spend significant time on the sidelines this year.
Nevertheless, with the move now sorted, Raiders CEO Don Furner was quick to praise Nicoll-Klokstad for his time at the Raiders.
“Charnze arrived in Canberra in 2019 looking for an opportunity to further his NRL career and took that opportunity with both hands,” Furner said.
“He’s been a very good for the club both on and off the field and we wish him all the best for the rest of this season before he returns home to New Zealand to be closer to his family next year.”
Although his first breakout year was with the Raiders, the Warriors are hopeful that he can recapture some of that form.
“Having Charnze back with the Vodafone Warriors is going to be tremendous for us as a club and also for him personally,” saidW George.
“He brings undoubted qualities as one of the best fullbacks in the game as well as so much off the field as a wonderful young man.
“He’s so excited about coming back to the Vodafone Warriors, being home and being closer to his family.”