Castleford Tigers have signed prop Gadwin Springer from Catalans Dragons on a two and a half year deal starting immediately.
Springer, 22, becomes the first new recruit for Coach Daryl Powell’s 2016 squad and will arrive in the UK on Monday as the Tigers look to push on in their attempt to secure a top four Super League spot.
The junior French international made his debut for the Dragons in 2014 playing against St Helens. Springer had only made three substitute appearances for Catalans in 2015 before his move. He scored his first senior try in the Dragons victory over Hull KR.
Springer also played when Catalans visited the Mend-A-Hose Jungle earlier this season, clashing with his new team mates including another young starlet, Will Maher.
Springer joined Catalans in 2012 from Toulouse and quickly earned rave reviews from the French media.
Tigers CEO Steve Gill can’t wait to see Springer get into action: “We had initially signed Gadwin for the 2016-17 seasons, and when we heard that he could be available straight away, we moved pretty quickly to make it happen, I am sure Gadwin will become a crowd favourite and we are looking forward to his arrival in the UK on Monday,”
Gill added: “Getting Gadwin here sooner was made possible due to additional funds raised by the growing Tigers Daily Draw. I would like to thank everyone who’s a member for helping to make it happen, it’s a true thank you to our fans and shows our commitment to pushing on towards a top four Super League spot. I would also like to thank the Catalans Dragons for agreeing to release Gadwin early and the professional way they went about their business. Thanks also go to our board of directors for supporting us with this decision.”
Springer has impressed his new coach, Daryl Powell, who said: “Gadwin has shown this season what a great prospect he is and we are delighted to have signed a quality young prop who we believe will be an outstanding player for Castleford. He is big strong and aggressive which are obviously key qualities for his position and the fact that we can bring him in now is a bonus and I look forward to working with him.” said Powell.
