NRL: Warriors set to release Nielsen

Dane Nielsen is set to be granted a release today from the last year of his Warriors contract. Photo / Getty Images.

Centre Dane Nielsen is set to be granted a release today from the last year of his Warriors contract with reports suggesting he will join the St George-Illawarra Dragons on a two-year contact.

Nielsen's formal release had been held up while all required paperwork was completed but this is expected to be signed off today.

"As we did with Feleti (Mateo) and Jayson (Bukuya), we've reached a decision to let Dane go so he can continue his career in Australia," said Warriors general manager of football Dean Bell.

"This is all part of the process we're working through as Cappy (coach Andrew McFadden) seeks to reshape the NRL squad the way we believe will best serve the club's needs."

Speculation has swirled for several months that the 29-year-old could be on the way out of the Auckland-based club.

The former Cronulla, Melbourne and Queensland State of Origin player was linked with Super League club Hull before the deal fell through earlier this year.

Rumours intensified last week following a tweet from Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell which read: "Last dinner with this guy before he leaves to go to Sydney!Seeyah soon King Kong #DANGER #oua @09friendy @GlenFisiiahi"

Accompanying the message was a photo of Nielsen dining together with Hurrell and Warriors hooker Nathan Friend.

With Hurrell, Ngani Laumape, Dominique Peyroux and new signing Matt Allwood on board the Warriors are well stocked with centre options and further signings for 2015 remain a possibility.

"We're always on the lookout for players to bring into our NRL squad from overseas clubs and from within our own system," said McFadden.

"But if we sign a player it has to be the right person who can add something to our squad."