Featherstone Rovers sign ex-Canterbury Bulldogs player Fa'amanu Brown

The Samoa international has made 37 NRL appearances having also featured with Canterbury Bulldogs.

The New Zealand-born player, who can also operate at full-back and hooker, is currently a free agent.

He played three games for Canterbury last season but was not offered a deal for 2020.

Goalkicker Brown, 25, has made five Test appearances for Samoa and featured in the 2017 World Cup.

He will offer Featherstone coach James Webster plenty of versatility, creativity and experience.

Rovers football manager Steve Gill said: “We are pleased to be able to bring a player of Nu Brown’s quality here to Featherstone.

“He can excel in a range of positions and I’m sure he will be a fans' favourite at Rovers.

“As a Club we have never given up hope, with the squad we have, of going one step further than last year.

“If and when the season does re-commence we want to be sure we are in the best possible position to give it our best shot.”

In a statement, the West Yorkshire club said: “The move has received a GBE (Governing Body Endorsement), which has allowed the Club to apply for his VISA, which officials are confident of securing.

“The final matter of the signing rests on the 2020 season starting again, with the inclusion of promotion to the Super League, which was a key factor in Brown’s ambitions in joining the Club.”

Featherstone reached the Million Pound Game last season but lost out to Toronto Wolfpack in their bid for Super League.

They have invested heavily, signing the likes of ex-England second-row Brett Ferres from Leeds Rhinos, to make another push.

However, with rugby league shutdown since mid-March due to coronavirus, there are still no confirmed plans for how or if it will restart although it is hoped to be able to resume in August.

The matter of promotion and relegation is a bone of contention, though, with some Super League clubs believing it should not occur in 2020 to protect the integrity of the competition in the unprecedented times created by the pandemic.