St Helens have announced the signing of Brisbane Broncos full-back Tristan Sailor ahead of next season. Sailor has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Saints, who are said to have seen off competition from Hull FC to land the Australian.

The 26-year-old will make the journey over to Merseyside later this year to begin training with the club in pre-season and he becomes the first recruit ahead of the 2025 campaign. Sailor still had a year left to run on his contract with the Broncos, but after finding himself rooted down the pecking order at Suncorp Stadium, he was keen to explore his options, and he admits a move to St Helens captured his imagination.

“I’m so excited to join St Helens, back when I was at the Dragons, James Graham told me all about the English fans and the Saints fans especially and how passionate they are for their rugby so I’m really looking forward to coming over,” he told the club after penning his deal.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to come over and play in the UK at the top level, so to do that was a big appeal for me and I’m super grateful to Saints for giving me the opportunity to do that.

“Speaking to Paul [Wellens] was great and he helped reassure me and ease my mind because it was a big decision I was making to come across the world, and now I can’t wait.”

Where Wellens plans to play Sailor remains to be seen, but his versatility and ability to play in a number of positions across the spine certainly gives the head coach options.

“First of all Tristan is an exciting player,” Wellens said. “He has got some attacking flair and is a player I am sure the fans will look forward to watching play.

“He is a determined player and he is coming over because he wants to be part of a successful team. I am sure he will come in and improve our team.

“The fact he can play at full-back or at six, similar to Jack [Welsby] gives us options but we don’t need to make decisions too soon on where he plays. What we do know, and what we are confident in, is he will add a lot to our team.