Castleford Tigers sign full-back Mata'utia from Leigh on three-year deal

Castleford Tigers have signed full-back Peter Mata'utia from Leigh Centurions on a three-year contract.
Peter Mata'utia.Peter Mata'utia.
Peter Mata'utia.

The 27-year-old Samoan international scored nine tries in 20 appearances for Leigh and has more than 70 NRL games to his name for Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons.

He trained with Tigers today and said: “Castleford as a club excites me and I can’t wait to get playing with this team.

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“Everyone I have spoken to raves about this club, about the coaching environment and the passionate fans and I’m just really excited to pull on a Castleford shirt and experience my first game here.”

Tigers coach Daryl Powell said: “I would like to welcome Peter to our club.

“He is a player we have been watching all season, he is a quality outside-back who can play in different positions, but we have signed him primarily as a full-back.

“I am delighted with this signing and I look forward to seeing his impact on the group and the team in this season and throughout his contract.

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“I have heard nothing but positive things about Peter and I’m confident he will be an outstanding acquisition for the Tigers. ”

Leigh look set to miss out on the Betfred Qualifiers and have begun releasing players.

Castleford director of rugby Jon Wells described Mata’utia as “a proven talent at the very highest level” and added: “We have made another bold statement on the direction this club is going by securing a player of this calibre.

“We had to work hard to get Peter over the line and I would like to personally thank Kieran Cunningham, Matt Chantler and particularly Derek Beaumont at Leigh Centurions for their professionalism in dealing with a very difficult situation at their club at the moment. I wish them all the very best in the future.

“The future of Castleford Tigers was bright anyway; now it is positively glowing.”