Jimmy jets west: Roberts joins Tigers until end of 2022

James Roberts will be at the Wests Tigers in 2021 after officially putting pen to paper on a two-year deal with the club on Thursday.

Roberts will begin training with the joint venture later this month after gaining a release from South Sydney on compassionate grounds a fortnight ago.

It will be his fifth club across a decade-long career that started with an NRL debut with the Rabbitohs in 2011 and has also included stops at the Panthers, Titans and Broncos before his second stint at Souths.

"I'm very excited to be a part of a quality club which is obviously on the rise," Roberts said.

"The opportunity to reunite with Michael Maguire is too good to pass up and I’m looking forward to working closely with him again.

"I'm also really impressed with the work Wests Tigers are doing in creating pathways for Aboriginal people and it’s something I'm really passionate about.

"I'd like to thank South Sydney for the support they’ve given me and my family over the past two years and I can't wait to start my new chapter with Wests Tigers."

The 27-year-old former NSW centre was restricted to six games at the Rabbitohs this season due to a pectoral injury in July.

His addition is a welcome boost for Michael Maguire's outfit after the club missed out on the services of Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr for next season.

"James is clearly an exceptional footballer who will add a lot to our side and I'm very pleased to see him continue his rugby league career with Wests Tigers," Maguire said.

"I've worked closely with James before and know that he has a good team around him to help get back to the player that we know he can be.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him back on the rugby league field in 2021 and displaying the talent and commitment that I know will add a lot to our team moving forward."

Roberts is expected to link with a backline that will include representative stars David Nofoaluma, Joey Leilua, Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi.

He is in line to play his 150th NRL game when he runs out in Wests Tigers colours for the first time next season.