Josh Reynolds has revealed just how desperate he was to secure a return to the Bulldogs, explaining he would take a salary of “one dollar a week”.

Reynolds became a cult figure in Belmore and played 138 games for the Bulldogs before salary cap issues saw him sign a four-year deal with the Tigers worth upwards of $3 million.

The 33-year-old only managed 22 games for the merger club before a two-year stint with Hull FC ended prematurely after his contract was terminated in June.

Reynolds has since secured a train-and-trial deal for the 2023 season with incoming coach Cameron Ciraldo reportedly welcoming him back to the club.

“I’ve dreamt about this. I’ve tried to come back to the Dogs about 30 times and it just hasn’t worked,” Reynolds said on The JBK Show podcast.

“To be given this opportunity … honestly, you could pay me a $1 a week … and I’m not just saying that, it’s just how I feel.

“I’m at a point in my life, I’ve got other things going on and I just want to play. I want to represent that emblem, it’s just what I want to do.”

Reynolds explained that for him it was never about the money — and now without the burden of being a marquee player, there is no pressure to perform.

“Honestly, it’s a bit of a relief. People might be like ‘this bloke is off his head’ but everywhere I have gone, I have signed a good contract and I have been so lucky,” Reynolds said.

“But now, there is actually no pressure on me. What are people going to say ‘this bloke is on a $1000 a week, (they can’t say) he’s costing the club (money)’.”

“I’ve had a lot a of deals where, where they have tried to make me the marquee guy, at the Tigers it didn‘t work, it was a dud.

“I went overseas and it didn’t really work either. Now I come back, first of all, it has nothing to do with the money. Money comes and goes.”

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould was reportedly interested in signing Dragons young gun Jayden Sullivan before he withdrew his release request.

That move could spell the end of former Rooster Kyle Flanagan, and Reynolds will be doing everything he can to get as much game time as possible.

He also is hoping to sign a full-time top 30 deal.

“I said it Gus (Gould), and I haven‘t said it to Cam (Ciraldo) yet but I want to play, that’s my main priority … I’d fill any gap that was needed,” Reynolds said.

“I’d be happy to learn any role. Learning three roles in the pre-season won’t rattle me.

“But at the same time I wanted to show him (Gus) I am nowhere near finished yet.”