Leigh Leopards have announced the signing of former NRL forward Tevita Pangai Junior on a multi-year deal.
The 30-year-old forward will make the switch from Hull KR for 2027, bringing plenty of firepower up front for Adrian Lam next year.
Pangai Junior had a troubled stint this year at Hull KR in 2026, where he received back-to-back suspensions and spent multiple weeks on the sidelines.
The Tongan enforcer has notched up 147 NRL games across spells at Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and then a season at the Dolphins after coming out of retirement.
Before the Hull KR stint, he played 23 games for the Catalans Dragons in 2025, adding to his rugby league experience in both hemispheres.
On his day, Pangai Junior can make a massive impact on the field with his strength, ability to offload and leg speed.
Pangai Junior thanked the club for giving him an opportunity to don the Leopards colours.
“Me and my family are very excited to join Leigh Leopard," he said in a Leigh statement.
“I just wanted to thank my agent Ahmad Merhi for working tirelessly behind the scenes with Andrew Henderson and Adrian Lam to get this across the line. I also want to thank the club, its coaching staff, Board of Directors and owner Derek Beaumont for taking a leap of faith, and hopefully I can repay that faith.
“I'm really looking forward to getting a full pre-season and working hard with my new teammates, earning the respect of the coaching staff and the players and, more importantly, our members and fans.”
Pangai Junior has played at the highest level, with an appearance as starting prop for the NSW Blues in State of Origin during 2023 under coach Brad Fittler.
Lam says he is thrilled to have Pangai Junior join his side and is a positive step in building for a strong 2027 season.
“We're grateful as a club that these types of players want to come to us," Lam said.
“Every year our aim is to improve the squad, and a signing like this is definitely a huge step in the right direction.
“Tevita has a wealth of experience and has played in some big games, including Test matches and State of Origin for New South Wales only three years ago.
“He'll bring some size, power, aggression and competitiveness to our forward pack.
“Tevita is a player I believe can develop his game at Leigh and will be a leader for the club.
“This signing is a big statement that shows rival clubs we are moving forward.”
Pangai Junior has represented Tonga six times during his career since his NRL debut in 2016.
He will link back up with former Broncos and Tongan teammate Joe Ofahengaue in Leopards colours.
