Leigh Centurions are delighted to announce the signing of 32-year-old former Australian Test centre Willie Tonga on a two-year contract up until the end of November 2017 following his release from Catalans Dragons.

Born in Canberra, of Tongan descent on his father's side, Villiami Sione (Willie) Tonga's parents were Aboriginal Inland Missionaries who moved around the country with their work. He made his NRL debut with Parramatta Eels in 2002 after being scouted by former Australian Test greats Arthur Beetson and Noel Cleal at a country rugby festival before joining Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004. In his first year with his new club he played a prominent role in their 16-13 Grand Final victory over Sydney Roosters in an Eels side that also included current Leigh Centurions team-mate Reni Maitua.

Tonga also made his Queensland and Australian Test debut in his breakthrough year of 2004, going on to make eight appearances (3 tries) for the Maroons and 12 appearances (8 tries) for the Kangaroos, including scoring two tries in Australia's 44-4 Tri-Nations Final victory over Great Britain at Elland Road in 2004.

After joining North Queensland in 2009 Tonga re-signed for Parramatta in 2012 before making the move to play with Catalans Dragons on a two-year contract for 2015. He has scored 86 tries in 200 club appearances and 11 tries in 22 representative appearances which also include appearances for the Prime Minister's XIII and the Indigenous All Stars. His younger brother Esi is also an established NRL player.

Tonga continues the heritage of famous Australian players joining Leigh, sparked by the Club's first Australian signing Mick Bolewski over one hundred years ago. Bolewski, a member of the first Kangaroos in 1908-09 is one of only three overseas players to make one hundred appearances for Leigh, the others being Tongan Tau Liku and Australian Adam Bristow. Former Australian RU international centre Trevor Allan, who signed for the Club just after the war is also still revered in Leigh.

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Paul Rowley said: " I am delighted to welcome Willie to the Club and am excited to see him get down to work. The opportunity to sign Willie comes after a very rigorous search for another outside back and so to finally land a player of Willie's quality is very pleasing.

"This is another positive step in the progression of our Club and another great professional athlete joining the ranks to help enhance the culture and work ethic within the Club."

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont said: " This is yet another fantastic signing for our Club. Yet another international proven athlete still playing at the highest level.

"Capturing Willie was another example of our players being our best assets with Cory (Paterson) and Reni (Maitua) both influential in assisting this move.

"We identified the need for adding a quality outside back and that became more apparent with an illness to a player which really alerted me to the potential Achilles ‎Heel in that area if losing a centre to injury.
"I have always said we will be the masters of our own destiny and I have a significant investment to protect and a commitment to myself and our fans to deliver a Super League side. I am committed to do whatever it takes and to be signing a player of Willie's quality makes me smile writing this.

"The line-up is mouth-watering and with one more possible target to land we really are shaping up to be a formidable group.

"Talking to Willie he is really excited at the prospect of getting stuck into achieving our goals and playing alongside his best mate Reni Maitua. I am a believer everything happens for a reason and I am especially pleased with the outcome of the hand of fate with this signing!

"Twelve months ago it was massive news that Tonga signed for Catalans and for anyone to have then believed we would be able to sign him at Leigh Centurions in the Championship twelve months later would have appeared madness.

"But he adds to a list of quality proven players that complement the players we managed to hold onto, which as I said at the Fans Forum are just as important a signing as any we have added.

"I cannot wait to see the boys in action together and hope this further adds to the belief of the town that we are driven to achieve what this town and Stadium richly deserves. Spread the news and get down to the LSV and share in the fun journey where you can be part of something special!"

One more to come as well??? Oh dear god I cannot wait for this year!

lol Oggy.

Got to give Derek credit.... And good luck to all concerned with Leigh next season. I'm sure they'll do us proud.

It's going to be one heck of an exciting journey.

Incredible isn't it. Watching it on LCTV thinking back to when Paul Rowley took over with no staff and about 7 players how far we've come & imagining how far we can go.

Was it the 2009 season when we got briefly relegated for the following year only to get let off the hook when it turned out Gateshead had signed a load of players they couldn't pay to keep them up? Seems like 2 minutes ago but we have come a long way since then.

Being there through the dark times makes you appreciate where we are at now all the more

Was the 1st season at the LSV (who'd have thought we'd have managed 2 Championships without a defeat there after that 1st year!?) Finished 3rd from bottom but above Toulouse. Gateshead went into administration but asked for a points deduction that season rather than the next & saved us. Still credit to Robbie Paul he was still willing to come even when we were relegated. The excitement of Basil coming back, the devastation of relegation, the excitement of unrelegation! 2 financial crises and 2 Championship winning seasons later & as always I can't wait for the season to start.

Yes, it was the Toulouse exemption from relegation that would have sunk Leigh down into League 1, which I still firmly believe is utter madness from the RFL, play on level terms or not at al IMO.
Also that year, Toulouse had an overseas quota exemption, as did London & the Welsh.

Very, very excited by this season, even more so than the last 2 seasons & they were just magnificent.

I foresee the biggest season ticket sales & home average attendances for some considerable time & two good sized crowds for the Wigan & Wire friendlies.

Roll on 2016.

#BeLeighve