James Graham officially released by St George Illawarra ahead of St Helens return

Drew Darbyshire

St George Illawarra have released prop James Graham from the remainder of his Dragons contract to allow him to take up an opportunity with St Helens in the Super League.

The 34-year-old will return to Super League after spending eight years in the NRL with Canterbury and St George Illawarra.

Graham played 51 games for the Dragons and he will return to Saints for the rest of 2020, where he made more than 200 appearances between 2003-11. He has earned 53 caps for Great Britain and England.

Graham said: “I’m definitely leaving with a heavy heart – this club and the people involved have done so much for me over the past two and a half years.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but the opportunity to return and play for the club I’ve supported since I was eight and whose system I was in from 11 was the right thing for me to pursue as I reach the end of my career.

“I’m very grateful for the club, the board and the coach for appreciating my perspective about returning to St Helens. I’d run to the edge of the earth for the coach, staff and playing group at the Dragons. They will have a special place in my heart forever.”

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