Leigh Centurions have confirmed the signing of Canberra Raiders hooker Kurt Baptiste on a one year contract until the end of 2018.

The 26-year-old Papua New Guinea international hooker will join up with his new teammates in early January as preparations for the 2018 season intensify after the successful conclusion of negotiations with head of rugby Keiron Cunningham.

Baptiste played in all four of PNG’s matches during the 2017 World Cup and has played over 60 NRL games for Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders.

Leigh Centurions head coach Neil Jukes said: “Kurt’s signature is a huge coup for the Club.

“On and off the field he will add great leadership values and bring the quality trends he has developed from two elite environments in the Broncos and the Raiders.

“His energy, control and running game will be infectious for the players around him and with the staff look forward to enhancing those skills further.

“He’ll join up with the boys after the New Year and jump straight into our preparations for 2018.”