TEVITA PANGAI JNR has signed for Leigh Leopards on what the club describe as “a multi-year deal”.
The prop joins following a short spell at Hull KR which was marred by two hefty suspensions, limiting him to five games there.
That was his second Super League club after spending the previous season with Catalans Dragons.
The 30-year-old previously made 96 appearances for Brisbane Broncos before time with Penrith Panthers, Canterbury Bulldogs and Dolphins.
That took Pangai Jnr’s NRL tally to 147 games. He also represented New South Wales at State of Origin level in 2023, and played six times for Tonga between 2017 and 2019.
Leigh owner Derek Beaumont said: “TPJ is a big, solid, experienced player who is just what we need.
“We have a history of getting the best from players who have had issues in their career, and that’s because, whilst we have high standards, we also have an understanding of life’s difficulties and individuals’ different strengths and weaknesses.
“Lammy (Adrian Lam) is a coach who gets the best out of people. It’s there for all to see how he improves players and how they all want to give their all for him and the club because of the off-field wins they can earn from him.”
Pangai Jnr said: “I want to thank the club, its coaching staff, board of directors and Derek Beaumont for taking a leap of faith, and hopefully I can repay that faith.
“I’m really looking forward to getting a full pre-season and working hard with my new teammates, earning the respect of the coaching staff and the players and, more importantly, our members and fans.”