LEIGH Centurions have signed former Toronto Wolfpack, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors winger or full-back Matty Russell for the 2021 season.

He has become the club's third signing in three days following the recruitment of Kiwi forwards Nathaniel Peteru and James Bell.

Scotland international Russell, who scored 31 tries in 97 appearances in his best-known spell for The Wire between 2014 and 2018, was on the books at Toronto, whose application to be readmitted to Super League in 2021 has been rejected leaving the staff and players unemployed.

"I am very grateful for this chance with Leigh Centurions," said Russell, 27.

"It has been a disaster of a year but now I'm looking forward to a new challenge in 2021.

"It's exciting to see which players are coming in for next year and it's clearly a squad that has Super League potential.

"I know a lot of the players and coaching staff at Leigh – I don't think there's anyone that I haven't played alongside or against."

A regular in the Scotland international squad, Russell is well acquainted with Leigh head coach John Duffy.

He said: "I have known John for a long time and I enjoy working with him.

"There are a number of Scotland players at Leigh who I am looking forward to working with on a day-to-day basis."

Born in Irvine, Russell started his professional career with Wigan Warriors and then spent 12 months in Australia with Gold Coast Titans.

With Warrington Wolves between 2014 and 2018, he won the League Leaders' Shield in 2016 but featured in both the Challenge Cup Final defeat to Hull FC and the Grand Final loss to Wigan the same year.

Russell also played for Leigh on dual registration from Wigan Warriors in 2012, and had a spell on loan at Hull that year too.

Duffy said: "Matty is an explosive and powerful player who is a great finisher.

"Having coached him and played alongside him, I know what he can bring to our team and his versatility will also be crucial to us.

"He's also a great lad and I think he is looking forward to being close to home again. Matty is another Super League quality player which is what we want and I'm excited by the recruitment we've been able to finalise this week and we'll move on to other targets now."