Featherstone Rovers have announced the signing of Samoan international Misi Taulapapa after his departure from Sheffield Eagles.
Taulapapa joins on a one-year contract, subject to his Visa being cleared, and will join Featherstone with immediate effect.
The 33 year-old joined the Eagles in 2010 and was part of the side that won back-to-back Championship titles in 2012 and 2013.
Outside-back Taulapapa made a total of 168 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 69 tries before he announced he would leave after the 2015 season.
He also spent time in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks, but was limited to just 38 appearances in four seasons in the competition.
“I’m joining a really ambitious club and I can’t wait for the season to start. I was amazed when I first visited the club to meet Jon and saw the facilities at our disposal,” he told the club’s official website.
“To be honest, I was blown away that everything is in one place and we have a base that we can call home. It is definitely the best I’ve seen in rugby league and this will stand us in good stead as we prepare for 2016.
“It’s a big advantage for us and I think we will be a force to be reckoned with next year in the Kingstone Press Championship.
“Jon is a building a good squad and the boys seem enthusiastic and willing to listen and learn which is very important. First of all my ambitions are to train as hard as I can and get to know my new teammates.
“I’ve set some personal goals too and as long as we all work hard and have the right ethos than we can have a successful 2016.”
Taulapapa becomes the tenth signing for Featherstone this season, with a total of 25 players who featured for the club last season either chosen to retire or departed from the club.
Head coach Jon Sharp is delighted to have landed the signing of Taulapapa and believes all the club’s new recruits have similar ambitions.
“Misi is a really important signing for us and I’m delighted that he has opted to join Featherstone. He has explosive power and a very tough player. He’s vastly experienced in the Kingstone Press Championship and has considerable leadership qualities,” he said.
“He is a very fit bloke and I know he is really impressed with the facilities that we have at the Big Fella’s Stadium. He is a durable player and will bring a lot of quality to our side.
“Like all our signings in the close season, he has great enthusiasm and works very hard for himself and his team. I’m sure he will become a fans favourite once he pulls on a Rovers shirt.
