BACK back row forward Atelea Vea has joined Leigh Centurions on a two-year contract until the end of November 2018.

The Tonga international has spent the past two seasons with Saints and after an injury curtailed 2015 campaign has been a regular in the Saints pack in 2016, scoring seven tries in 27 games.

Sydney born, he made his NRL debut with Cronulla Sharks in 2009 and later played for Melbourne Storm and St George-Illawarra in the NRL before joining London Broncos in 2014.

Saints Chief Executive Mike Rush said: “We’d like to wish Tils all the best at Leigh Centurions.

“He has proved a popular member of the squad here and we’d like to thank him for his efforts in the red vee.

“Like any former player, he will always be welcome back at the club.”

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Neil Jukes said: "Atelea has been playing really well for St Helens on the edge and in the middle and has shown his versatility. He has been playing Super League week in, week out to a high level of performance.

"After meeting with him it was evident that Atelea was excited to be part of a club that was growing and what he wanted out of it and what we wanted was the perfect fit.

"As we go into Super League we aim to improve our culture on and off the field and Atelea will play a big part in that. What particularly impressed me was that when we met we weren't then guaranteed our place in Super League but Atelea was ready to get his hands dirty and get us into Super League if needed. He really bought into the club straight away."