Wests Tigers have officially announced the signing of Kiwi International Russell Packer on a four year deal starting in 2018.

Packer joins former New Zealand Warriors teammate and New Zealand representative Ben Matulino in the Wests engine room for next season.

“Russell has been one of the standout front-rowers in the NRL this season,” Coach Ivan Cleary said.

“He’s a no-nonsense front rower, he really knows what his job is and he delivers and I think he’s only going to get better.

“I think he’s going to have a very strong leadership role here. He’s got a great story, a story of hard knocks and coming out the other side, and that will resonate with lots of the boys here.

“He’s very keen to help us regrow what we have here at Wests Tigers, and they’re the sort of guys we want on board.”