Keighley Cougars have announced the signing of Junior Sa’u for the remainder of the 2022 season.

The Samoan international centre arrives at Cougar Park from Old Glory DC following the conclusion of the Major League Rugby Union season at the other side of the Atlantic.

Adding experience, raw power, speed, and more try scoring ability, to the Cougars backline ahead of the second half of the season, it is another recruit that has pleased Head of Rugby Andrew Henderson.

“With Taylor Prell moving on recently, it was important that we moved quickly to secure a quality replacement to give us some extra cover in our outside back department,” admitted Henderson.

“When I found out Junior was available, we moved quickly to give him an opportunity.

“And after speaking to him, he was happy to take it with us.

“Junior is a quality person first and foremost, with the added bonus of being a quality player who has achieved a lot during his career both at club and international level.

“He is still hungry to achieve more, and I am sure his desire, experience, and ability, will add value to our playing group, especially our younger outside backs.

🏉 Whilst neither can feature this weekend, how much we looking forward to seeing these two in action during the second half of the season?!

😍 We think red, white, and green, will suit you better though @junior_sau and @EddyPettybourn3!

📸 @swpixtweets#JoinThePride pic.twitter.com/b63RrQs4x7

— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) June 10, 2022

“We look forward to seeing what Junior will bring to the team, and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to the Cougars.”

Born in New Zealand, Sa’u began his Rugby League career with Logan Brothers in Queensland before joining Canberra Raiders.

He joined Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2008 season, scoring 26 tries in 86 appearances for the club and scoring eight tries in nine appearances for New Zealand, notably winning the Four Nations in 2010.

A brief switch to Melbourne Storm followed in 2013, the same year he represented Samoa at the World Cup, before moving to Salford Red Devils in time for the 2014 season.

He was Salford’s Player of the Season in his first year at the club and he went on to score 60 tries in 142 appearances across a five and a half year stint at the AJ Bell Stadium.

He took in a loan spell at Wakefield in the later stages of his Salford career before a permanent move to Leigh where he made 26 appearances and scored three tries in the 2021 Betfred League One season.

He has spent this year playing in North America’s premier rugby union competition with Old Glory DC and has been assigned the number 23 jersey for the remainder of the 2022 season.