London Broncos have made their first overseas signing since the club’s relegation from Super League as they look to rebuild.
After a string of retentions, the club made their first new signing on Tuesday with forward Ben Hursey-Hord returning to the club after a couple of seasons up north with Leeds Rhinos and Halifax Panthers.
Hursey-Hord had been a part of the Broncos‘ academy but departed after moving to Leeds for university, something that presented him with an opportunity to feature for the Rhinos’ reserve team before a move to Fax.
His arrival was announced just hours before the club confirmed that they had signed Australia half-back Connor O’Beirne with the 27-year-old becoming just the eighth player to be locked in for 2025, or at least he will be if his Visa is approved.
London Broncos sign Aussie half as rebuild continues
Mike Eccles is slowly going about building a new team after the vast majority of the 2024 Super League squad were poached away by rival clubs.
Over 20 of the players in that squad were only on one-year contracts, something that was a result of the club being hamstrung by the IMG gradings and their certain relegation before a ball was even kicked.
Having then been relegated, London faced the task of rebuilding and that has been slow and steady progress with new recruit O’Beirne becoming just the eighth man to sign for the upcoming season.
Confirming his signing, a club statement announced: “London Broncos are delighted to announce the signing of Australian back Connor O’Beirne.
“The 27-year-old half-back has most recently been playing in France’s top division with Lezignan and before that Carcassone.”
Incredibly, O’Beirne stands at over six foot and five inches tall making him one of the tallest playmakers in rugby league and a far cry in difference from former London man Oli Leyland who was just five foot six inches tall, and has signed for Warrington Wolves.
Speaking on the move, O’Beirne said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Broncos in 2025! I’m really keen to get over to London and have a successful season.”
✍️ 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐎’𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐑𝐍𝐄!
London Broncos are delighted to announce the signing of Connor O’Beirne subject to a visa being approved.
Read 👉 https://t.co/2XiPRUAXFV
To sponsor Connor please contact James.booth@londonbroncosrl.com#WeAreLondon🏉 pic.twitter.com/5mqZ1quzfO
— London Broncos (@LondonBroncosRL) November 12, 2024
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