Leigh Centurions snare Papua New Guinea star Kurt Baptiste

Leigh Centurions have become the latest British Rugby League club to announce the signing of a Papua New Guinea World Cup star.

Kurt Baptiste, the 26 year old Kumul, who came through the ranks at Brisbane Broncos, has signed a one year deal to play at the Sports Village.

Baptiste played in all four of PNG’s matches during the 2017 World Cup and also numbers over 60 NRL games for Brisbane Broncos and more latterly, Canberra Raiders.

Leigh Centurions head coach Neil Jukes said: “Kurt’s signature is a huge coup for the club.

“On and off the field he will add great leadership values and bring the quality trends he has developed from two elite environments in the Broncos and the Raiders.

“His energy, control and running game will be infectious for the players around him and with the staff look forward to enhancing those skills further.

“He’ll join up with the boys after the New Year and jump straight into our preparations for 2018.”

Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont said: “Keiron Cunningham has been working on bringing Kurt to the Club and Neil (Jukes) and me got involved during our time over there but weren’t able to get it over the line.

“Keiron being at the Club was a big draw in getting Kurt to spend the next twelve months with us as he wants to improve himself working with undoubtedly one of if not the best hookers to have played the game. Keiron is looking forward to working with Kurt and it is, as he says, ‘the cherry on the top’ and will conclude our recruitment of our squad for 2018 at 27 members.”