Ottawa Aces have confirmed French half-back Louis Jouffret as the club’s first signing ahead of their debut season in Betfred League 1 in 2021.

Jouffret’s career began in the youth ranks with Avignon and Warrington Wolves before moving to Catalans Dragons. The 24-year-old broke through in 2015 with Whitehaven before also enjoying a loan spell with Toulouse in 2017, helping the club lift the Championship Shield.

In 2018, Jouffret joined Batley Bulldogs and helped the club reach the Semi-Finals of the inaugural AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. The Frenchman began the 2020 season with Featherstone Rovers, making a handful of appearances for the club, scoring two tries.

Jouffret said: “I am over the moon to be joining Ottawa Aces for next season.

“As a French player, it means a lot to me to be the club’s first signing. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the club and all the fans in Ottawa.”

The Aces recently announced that former Catalans Dragons boss Laurent Frayssinous would lead the club in Betfred League 1 next season.

Frayssinous said: “I will give it my all in Ottawa, and I’m confident we can bring success to the club and the city. We have a lot of big and exciting plans, and I look forward to getting on the job.”