AVA Seumanufagai has become Leigh Leopards’ latest signing for 2023.

The prop forward, who has spent two seasons in Super League previously with Leeds Rhinos, has penned a one-year deal to join Adrian Lam’s squad.

The New Zealander had been playing in the NRL with Canterbury Bulldogs but now fills the overseas quota spot left by Blake Ferguson’s departure.

“Adrian tasked me with finding another front rower and Ava is a big and athletic body who will take the juice out of the defensive line,” director of rugby Chris Chester said.

“He’s an experienced player who is highly thought of by coaches I respect in Australia and a couple of my close contacts there both recommended him unreservedly.

“He fits in well with what we need and what we want for our club, and we can’t wait to get him over here to join the squad. Hopefully he will be arriving on Wednesday.

“Ava is a great addition to an already strong group and by recruiting a player of this quality in a key position we have used that vacant quota spot wisely.

“I’d like to thank Liam Ayoub for his assistance in getting this deal over the line.”

Seumanufagai was part of the Rhinos squad that won the 2020 Challenge Cup in what turned out to be his final year at the club before he returned to the NRL to join up with the Bulldogs.

Before heading to Leeds, he had turned out more than 100 times for Wests Tigers before spending a season at Cronulla Sharks.