Sydney Roosters prop Todd Payten will find himself in the unique situation of being paid by three National Rugby League clubs when he plays for Wests Tigers from next year.

The Tigers announced that Payten had agreed to terms with the joint venture club for the next two years.

Sydney was forced to release Payten because of salary cap pressures midway through a two-year contract while he was being still being paid by the Raiders, who terminated his three year deal at the end of last season.

It means Payten will be receiving payments from three different clubs when he plays for the Tigers in 2004, an anomaly his manager Darryl Mather believes proves the salary cap is squeezing players out of clubs.

"It's a funny one, I don't think I've ever seen this before," said Mather.

"I had a bit of a giggle about it the other day.

"I think Graham Murray would be the only equivalent as a coach because he always seem to be in jobs where it's over before they get going."

While Mather enjoyed a laugh over the situation, he also saw the serious side and added the NRL should increase the $3.25 million cap by $500,000.

"It's one those unfortunate situations where the Roosters, like most other clubs, are hurting and it's further proof the salary cap isn't working contrary to what the NRL is saying," said Mather.

"I think the cap is at a point where everything is peaking. You only need one or two little things and you find everyone is tipping over their ceiling."

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