Nathan Brown signs on as Huddersfield coach

UK club Huddersfield Giants have signed St George Illawarra Dragons head coach Nathan Brown to a three-year deal.

Brown, 34, is contracted with the Dragons in the National Rugby League until the end of the 2008 season. He will be joining the engage Super League club prior to the 2009 season.

A former hooker with the Dragons, Brown was forced into retirement in early 2001 season following a back and neck injury which revealed an unrelated congenital problem with his spinal chord.

He later became a lower grade coach for the Dragons and led his Jersey Flegg side to 2002 minor premiers and runners-up.

Brown's career received a huge boost when he was appointed first grade coach in 2003, thus becoming the NRL's youngest ever head coach.

He was told earlier this year that he will be replaced by current Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett in 2009, thereby ending his six-year stint where he guided the Dragons to finals appearances in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Brown was given the top job at the Giants ahead of fellow Australians Royce Simmons and Steve Folkes.

Huddersfield assistant coaches Keiron Purtill and Paul Anderson have been in charge since former coach Jon Sharp was sacked following the club's 48-0 defeat to Catalans six weeks ago.