Parramatta Eels have announced the signing of New Zealand and Samoan international Frank Pritchard for the 2017 season from Super League heavyweights Hull FC.
Pritchard joins the Eels from Hull after weeks of speculation about his future, with rumours surfacing a number of weeks ago that he was set to leave the KCOM Stadium after just one season with the Black and Whites.
He has played 27 tests for New Zealand and 5 tests for Samoa including captaining last year’s victory over Tonga in the Pacific Test at Parramatta Stadium.
SIGNING NEWS | The Eels have today announced the signing of @PritchardFrank! https://t.co/RBjTtDL7dM #blueandgold pic.twitter.com/QkQ9XbyKuK
— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) November 17, 2016
Head coach Brad Arthur said Pritchard brings a wealth of experience and expects he will provide a strong contribution to the 2017 squad.
“Frank has played at the highest level and I am sure our Members and fans are pleased that we have secured Pritchard as we lead into 2017,” he said.
“We have had a strategy over the last two months to retain our key players, and when necessary, bring in strong additions who will allow our squad to progress to the next level. Frank is a good example of a strong addition not only on the field, but as a wealth of knowledge to our developing players.”
