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Tigers free up NRL spot, release Mikaele

Wests Tigers have freed up a spot on their NRL roster amid speculation linking them to Canterbury's Jack Hetherington, with prop Thomas Mikaele released to join English Super League club Warrington.

Mikaele, 24, made 66 appearances for the Tigers after debuting in 2019, with six of those coming in 2022.

He's been granted an immediate release from the remainder of his contract with the Tigers to sign with Warrington on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The move means the Tigers go back to having two spots free on their NRL list after picking up Brent Naden from the Bulldogs last Tuesday following coach Trent Barrett's exit from Belmore.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire refused to enter into speculation on whether fellow former Penrith and Bulldogs player Hetherington would follow Naden across ahead of Friday's match between the two clubs.

But Mikaele's move suggests further Tigers recruits are to be expected in coming days.