AUSTRALIAN half-back Jarrod Sammut has joined Leigh Centurions from Wigan Warriors.

The vastly experienced 32-year-old arrives at Leigh Sports Village having played 14 times for Wigan Warriors in 2019.

Sammut said he was looking forward to playing in front of the Leigh Centurions fans, especially at home and embracing the pressure of being a play-making pivot: "As a player, facing Leigh was always daunting," he said.

"In all my time here in the UK as a player, I've not beaten Leigh so if you can't beat them, join them. Leigh play the game hard and they like to play expansive rugby which is the way I like to play, too.

"As a pivot, you have to take ownership of that role and if you can't handle the pressure then you either need to find a new position or a new career.

"I enjoy that pressure, knowing I've got the rest of my team-mates depending on me. I need to be at my best to ensure they're playing at their best. It's an empowerment and responsibility I love."

Leigh Centurions head coach John Duffy was pleased to have secured another key signature ahead of the 2020 Betfred Championship season. He said: "Jarrod is someone who you can't plan to counteract. He plays off the cuff and I think that's something we missed at times last season.

"We want him to use all the experience he has - especially in the Championship when he helped London Broncos to promotion - to help us at Leigh Centurions."

A dangerous, attacking footballer, Sammut started his league career as a full-back with Penrith Panthers before moving to Britain in 2010 to join Crusaders RL who were then in Super League. There he made 35 appearances, scoring 18 tries.

His points return with Bradford Bulls, where he played for two seasons was even more impressive, scoring 31 tries, 68 goals and a drop goal in 40 appearances.

In 2015 he made the short move to Wakefield before a spell with Workington Town on dual registration. He made the move permanent in 2016 becoming a firm favourite with the Derwent Park faithful.

His fine form in Cumbrian earned him a move to London Broncos in 2017. He capped his time in the capital with an appearance in the Million Pound Game, toppling hot favourites Toronto Wolfpack to win promotion back to Super League. Sammut kicked two goals in that game, helping the Broncos to a famous 4-2 win.

A dual code international for Malta, Sammut takes great pride in his Maltese heritage and he made headlines last month when he funded his own air fare to represent his country against Italy and Turkey.

Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont said Sammut was a player he had admired for many years and was excited to bring him to the club. He said: "Rugby League has become very structured and when you see decent tries being scored it tends to be from when something has broken down or somebody has done something completely different.

"Jarrod has had success in the Championship with getting London promoted but has also played at the very highest level in the NRL. He's a tough competitor who will really add something special to our squad.

"The big thing for me when I met Jarrod was his interest and desire in Leigh and what we were doing. He wants to win in everything he does."