Castleford capture Samoan international

An NRL debutant with Penrith Panthers last year, the winger/centr made his Test bow against New Zealand in October and joins Castleford initially on a one-year deal.

Isa, 21, replaces James Evans who unexpectedly retired last month and is due to arrive in West Yorkshire early in the new year.

"I'm excited to have enticed Willie to the Tigers," admitted coach Terry Matterson.

"With the sudden retirement of James Evans it was important that we strengthened in the centre positions and we feel with Willie's acquisition we have more than covered that area.

"Willie has been in two very good systems with Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm. He has a good reputation down under and at 21 years of age he has the world at his feet.

"He reminds me of two years ago when we signed a young 22 year-old who had only played a handful of NRL Games. That was Rangi Chase and he's turned out to be a magnificent signing.

"He is a very strong and elusive centre who will bring some genuine speed to our backline."

Isa - the club's seventh signing for 2011 after the Richard Mathers (Warrington), Danny Orr (Harlequins), Nick Youngquest (Crusaders), Nick Fozzard, Jacob Emmitt (St Helens) and Martin Aspinwall (Huddersfield) - said: "My coach at Melbourne Storm, Craig Bellamy speaks highly of Terry (Matterson) and I've heard a lot of good things so I'm pretty excited about working with him at Castleford.

"I can guarantee that I will do my best for the players and fans at the club. The fans play a lot of money to come to games and I will be out there doing my best for them every game.

"I'm not going there to take it easy. I've signed a one year deal and it's a chance to impress. More importantly I want to play well for Castleford and do all I can to achieve success there.

"I've been doing pre-season with Melbourne and I'll keep that up until I leave for Castleford."