Lee Mossop & Gareth Hock sign with Eels

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have today announced the signing of international forwards Gareth Hock and Lee Mossop from the start of the 2014 season.

Since making his debut in 2003, Gareth Hock has played 135 games for Wigan and is currently on loan to rival team Widnes. The 29 year old represented Great Britain in 4 matches in 2006 before going on to play 5 tests for England.

“Playing in the NRL is the biggest challenge you can have in rugby league, playing against the best week in week out," Hock said.

"Adrian Morley is a good friend of mine and he has told me Ricky Stuart’s coaching style will suit the type of player I am, so I am really excited about coming on board.”

Lee Mossop is one of the rising stars of English Rugby League. At just 24 years of age, Mossop has played 95 games for Wigan and Huddersfield and made his representative debut for England in 2012.

“I have always aspired to one day playing in the NRL and the fact that my dream has become a reality with a team with such a rich history like Parramatta is an added bonus," Mossop said.

"The club is undergoing a new beginning with a new coach in Ricky Stuart at the helm and I am really excited and honoured that I have been chosen to be a part of that.”

Both players will bring their own unique qualities to the Pirtek Parramatta Eels in 2014. Gareth Hock is an aggressive forward with strong ball playing ability while Lee Mossop is a skilful hard-working prop forward who brings energy to every side he plays in.

“We are ecstatic to be signing two international forwards in Gareth Hock and Lee Mossop," said Pirtek Parramatta Eels CEO Ken Edwards.

"Players of this calibre are few and far between on the player market so to be able to welcome these 2 individuals to the Eels Family says a lot about where the Parramatta Eels are at as a club and where we plan to go in the future.”

Pirtek Parramatta Eels Coach Ricky Stuart is equally pleased with Hock and Mossop’s addition to his 2014 roster.

“This has been a long and thought out process and having both Gareth and Lee here with us at the Eels is a great addition to our plans as a club moving forward. I’m really looking forward to working with both of the boys,” Stuart said.