After a messy NRL exit, former Canberra Raiders playmaker George Williams has signed with Super League outfit Warrington on a three and a half year deal.

Great Britain and England international Williams was a free agent after eventually being released by the Raiders in May.

Williams revealed that his relationship with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart had “ended sourly” after he asked for a release at the end of 2020 – his first NRL season – citing homesickness but was initially knocked back.

“I’d asked three times before it all went wrong. It got a bit messy,” Williams wrote for BBC Sport.

He was eventually cut loose, ending his Raiders career at 32 games from one and a half seasons before heading back to the UK.

The 26-year-old former Wigan star said he was now focused on his future with Warrington.

Wigan had an option to re-sign Williams when his time in the NRL ended but reached an agreement with the half not to enforce it, freeing him up to join the Wolves.

“I’m really excited to have signed for Warrington,” Williams told the club’s website.

“It’s a club that I’ve had plenty of tough games against in the past and the Halliwell Jones Stadium is a ground that I’ve really enjoyed playing at.

“The boys here at the club that I know from England camps spoke really highly of the organisation and the culture here. 

“There’s some world-class talent and some real experience in this group.”

Williams, who won two Super League titles with Wigan, left the Warriors for the Raiders at the end of the 2019 season.

“I’m really proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone to go out and test myself in the NRL and I like to think it’s helped me develop my game in the last 18 months, which I’m hoping to showcase now here at Warrington,” Williams said.

“The team has been building nicely this season and I’m just keen and excited now to come in and get started.”

Warrington are currently third on the Super League ladder.

“Since George’s availability became known to us he became our No.1 recruitment target,” Warrington chairman Stuart Middleton said.

“However, bringing him in midway through this year proved extremely challenging with numerous complexities attached.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks to Wigan Warriors for allowing George to join us despite having a first refusal agreement.”

AAP