Wests Tigers have today confirmed the signing of outside back Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Watene-Zelezniak will join Wests Tigers from the Penrith Panthers, effective immediately.

The 25 year old will join the club for the remainder of 2017 and the 2018 NRL seasons.

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary welcomed Watene-Zelezniak to the club.

“I look forward to having Malakai as a part of our squad moving forward,” said Cleary. “Malakai offers great versatility and further strengthen the depth in our outside backs.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe echoed Cleary’s sentiments.

“This is a great opportunity to Malakai to further his NRL career at a new club,” said Pascoe. “He’s a great young man who I’ve had the pleasure of working with before and I’m sure he’ll fit right in here at Wests Tigers.”

Capable of playing wing, centre and fullback, Watene-Zelezniak made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers in Round 6 this season against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

PLAYER PROFILE: MALAKAI WATENE-ZELEZNIAK

Date of Birth — 27th August, 1991

Height — 185cm

Weight — 98kg

Position — Wing, Centre, Fullback

Junior Club — St. Clair Comets

Rep. Honours — NZ Maori (2016)

NRL Debut — Penrith v South Sydney, Pepper Stadium, 7/4/17 (Rd.6)

