Newcastle Thunder have confirmed the signings of Italian international Brenden Santi from Toulouse and halfback Reece Dean.
Santi, 26, made 19 appearances for the French side last season, after previously playing 11 times in the NRL for Wests Tigers.
He has also picked up several caps for Italy, representing them at the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.
Dean, 22, has played for Hunslet, Doncaster and Sheffield in recent years after initially starting out in the Hull FC academy.
We’ve had some festive fun with our latest 2020 signing. Find out who has joined the club here. Ho Ho Ho! pic.twitter.com/gJpj6CfE8j
— Newcastle Thunder (@ThunderRugby) December 21, 2019
He initially signed for Batley ahead of the 2020 season, but will now link up with the North East club instead after being granted a release by the Bulldogs.
“Brenden was at Toulouse this year and last year as well and I just like everything he does,” Thunder head coach Simon Finnigan told the club website. “He has lots of energy and a little bit of aggression about him too so he will add to our group.
“Reece is a good young player who knows how to play the game and he was good for Hunslet last year and he will help us.
“He played well against us last summer and I think he is going to add value to us.”
