LEIGH Centurions continue to build for their tilt at a Super League return by recruiting tough-tackling Kyle Lovett from Wests Tigers on a two-year deal.

The 24-year-old forward, who has played 50 games in the NRL after enjoying an outstanding junior career in New South Wales, met up with Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont and head coach Neil Jukes in Sydney this week to finalise his move to England.

Centurions owner Beaumont said: "Kyle is another great addition to our squad who is young and energetic with plenty first grade NRL experience for his age.

"It is a further statement of our intent to build a side capable of returning to Super League and one that we can grow and develop to improve to greater things.

"I am really looking forward to seeing his strong carries in a Leigh shirt."

Centurions head coach Jukes explained what the club have seen in the Tigers player.

He said: "Kyle is a fast, direct, strong running forward who consistently in defence notches up 40 plus tackles a game.

"His durability will also add a real competitive edge to our team in a number of other positions too.

"We will continue to monitor his preparations in Australia for the next few weeks now so he is ready to hit the ground running when he arrives at the beginning of December."

Born Leichhardt, New South Wales Lovett played his junior football for Five Dock RSL and Leichhardt Juniors before joining Wests Tigers. In 2012 and 2013 he was a stand-out player in Tigers' NYC team and captained them to grand final success in his first year with a stunning 46-6 victory over Canberra. Lovett was twice chosen as his team's Player of the Year.

Lovett represented New South Wales Under-20s in 2013 as they defeated Queensland 36-12 in the Origin game at Penrith and in 2014 graduated to Tigers' NSW Cup team and was again their Player of the Year.

After making his NRL debut at centre for Tigers against Gold Coast in a thrilling 19-18 win in the first game of the 2015 season he went on to play 21 games in his first year in the second row or off the bench and was chosen as Wests' NRL Rookie of the Year.

Lovett followed that impressive first season in the senior ranks with a further 22 appearances in 2016, proving his versatility by even starting the opening game as hooker and scoring a try in a 34-26 win over Warriors.

This year took his NRL tally to the half century mark.

He added to his representative honours when chosen for NSW City in 2016, scoring a try in a 44-30 victory over NSW Country.