OLDHAM coach Alan Kilshaw says former Fiji international King Vuniyayawa will add “real quality, size and physicality” to his pack.
The Boundary Park boss has been busy putting together a squad he feels can improve on this year, when the Roughyeds were third in the table and made the last four of the play-offs.
Experienced former NRL and Super League operator Vuniyayawa was influential as Newcastle Thunder finished second and also came within a win of a grand final appearance.
Along with 18 Thunder outings, the 31-year-old utility forward also played eight games for their Super League partner club York Knights, from whom Oldham have signed ex-Tonga halfback Ata Hingano.
Vuniyayawa, who has also played for New Zealand Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, the old Salford Red Devils and Featherstone Rovers, has signed a two-year contract with an option for a further season.
“King is a player with a wealth of experience at the highest level,” said Kilshaw. “He will add real quality, size and physicality to our forward pack.
“Having spoken to him, it was clear he is excited by the direction the club are heading and what we are looking to achieve.
“He’s hungry to be part of something successful, and that was a big factor for me.
“We’ve been really deliberate with our recruitment, and King is another player who we believe will make a significant contribution both on and off the field.
“He brings leadership and a real presence to our middle unit, and we’re looking forward to getting him into our environment.”
Vuniyayawa added: “I like the environment Alan is trying to cultivate and it is something I wanted to follow.
“I’m going to bring the best I can. I love hard work, I run hard, tackle hard and never try to take shortcuts.”
