GLENN Stewart is the first new player confirmed for Leigh Centurions’ assault on Super League in 2017.

But the former Australian Test forward won’t be the last with other announcements expected in the coming weeks.

However, Warrington’s newly elected Dream Team member, Ryan Atkins, has distanced himself with a switch to Leigh Sports Village.

Coach Neil Jukes, who left for a mini break in Portugal with his promoted squad today (Thursday), agreed there will be more arrivals soon.

“Once they have finished their commitments with their current teams and all parties are happy, they will probably be announced together,” he said.

“We won’t have the biggest of squads to start off with, probably 25 or 26 players.

“But we will make sure if we need to do anything through the season there is room for manoeuvre

“In that 25-26 squad there will be a lot of players who have good versatility. Mitch Brown is a good example who can play wing, centre, full-back.

“We will have a lot of those type of good, solid players who can play in a couple of positions.”

Speed merchant Kevin Penny has served Warrington in a variety of roles and has been linked with a move to the top flight new boys.

Reigning Man of Steel Zak Hardaker, back in the UK after finishing his loan spell at Penrith Panthers, is another whose name has cropped up with regard to potential signings.

So too has ex Wakefield centre Atkins. But speaking after his Dream Team unveiling at Hotel Football on Monday the 28-year-old said: “I am contracted to Warrington for another year, that’s all that matters.”

Asked if there was any truth in the rumours Atkins smiled: “I am contracted to Warrington.”

Stewart, 32, is definitely on his way. The NRL Grand Final winner spent just a season in Perpignan and Jukes is delighted by the acquisition.

“We are losing some good experienced players and Glenn will bring that back into the side with the other additions that will get announced,” he said.

“It is a big coup for the club because Glenn is a true pro and has a lot of connections in the game.

“He has also probably been Catalans best player this year so we have a good quality rugby player as well.”

Stewart, given a glowing reference of the club by Travis Burns.

Stewart said: “The Dragons have been really good to me and my family but my son, in particular, needed a bit of help with the language barrier and as regards his schooling he needs to be in a country where English is the primary language.

“Catalans were kind enough to grant me a release and one thing quickly led to another.

“Travis is one of my best mates and he had only good things to say about Derek Beaumont and the Leigh club.

“From speaking to Derek and then Jukesy it was clear that Leigh will be a great fit for me and my family.”

Leigh, who return for pre season training on November 10, ended their 2016 campaign with a 37-12 defeat at Leeds last Thursday.

“We were off with too many key areas in our game.

“Our completion rate, our kicking game and we weren’t strong enough in defence,” conceded Jukes.

“It was a lesson though in moving forward for next year. We might be able to come up with those performances in the Championship and get away with it.

“But definitely not in Super League and definitely not at Leeds. Yet we can still take a lot of credit out of it because we were still within touching distance with 60-65 minutes on the clock.

“It shows how far the group has come. But when you sit down and reflect what they have done this year they can all be very proud.”