Fa'aoso joins Castleford Tigers

Castleford Tigers have signed Tongan international back row forward Richard Fa'aoso from Sydney Roosters on a two-year contract.

A regular in the Roosters line-up this year, Fa'aoso is an exciting young player who can play in either the second row or at loose forward.

The 21-year-old was under contract with the Roosters but the Tigers have worked hard to capture a player who made a try-scoring debut for Tonga in their clash with Samoa a couple of months back.

Although qualified to represent Tonga, Fa'aoso was born in Queensland, making his NRL baptism with Penrith Panthers before joining the Roosters this past season.

Tigers coach Terry Matterson said: Richard is a tremendous prospect and we feel that he will be a big hit with our fans. He is a big, strong and aggressive back rower with plenty of pace who will boost what we feel is already a very strong looking pack.

He is a player who I knew as a youngster when he played junior rugby in Queensland. I have followed his progress since then and am very happy to have been able to recruit him for the Tigers.

The Tigers are still in talks with four other players, three of them backs, as they look to finalise their 2006 squad.