West Tigers centreย Kevin Naiqama will join the English Super League in 2019 after signing a three-year deal with the St Helens Saints.
The Fijian skipper's departure from the the Tigers was announced on Tuesday night, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the 2018 NRL season. News came through soon after that he would be moving to England to join the Saints next season.
St Helens head coachย Justin Holbrook was delighted to have veteran on board for 2019.
โKevin is a great coup for the club and weโre really looking forward to having him on board next season," Holbrook told the Saints website.
โHe has a wealth of experience in the NRL and, as current captain of Fiji, will bring leadership to our side.
โHeโs lightning quick too, with great hands, and can finish from all over the park.โ
Naiqama was equally excited to take his talents to St Helens, embracing the challenge of the Super League.
โI am really looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years," Naiqama told www.saintsrlfc.com.
"I love the fact the club is family orientated and the fact they are successful. They are one of the top teams who are always competing and that is appealing to me.
โThe thought of winning a Super League Grand Final or Challenge Cup would be unreal and I feel I can do that with the Saints and the squad they have.
โI have a lot to offer; I am a versatile player who can play on the left or right and I still feel I am learning too. I donโt feel I have reached the pinnacle of my football yet and St Helens can help me do that. I feel they can bring more football out of me defensively and with the ball in hand.
โI feel I have made a great choice to join the club โ now my focus is on this season with the Tigers. They have been a massive contributor to how I am as a player and I will be giving them my best as we look to reach the semis and beyond.
โI want to leave here on a good note but I am also looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years and hopefully helping them achieve further success.โ
Naiqama has had previous stints in the NRL with the Knights and Panthers, before crossing to the Wests Tigers in 2015.
The 29-year old has scored 47 tries in 102 NRL appearances, also featuring prominently for Fiji where he has earned 14 caps.
