The Penrith Panthers have added to their forward pack for the 2019 season with Hame Sele signing on from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Bouncing between NRL and Intrust Super Premiership NSW for two years, Sele joins the Panthers in the hope of making a first grade jersey his own.
"It's exciting for me to start this new journey with Panthers, especially when you look at the facilities and the talented players at the club," Sele said.
"It's my goal to make the most of my opportunity here and to earn a place in the NRL team.
"I'll be doing everything I can to make that happen."
A former Australian Schoolboys representative, Sele made his NRL debut with the Dragons in 2017 and later that year was selected in the NSW City Origin side.
In 2018 Sele played only three NRL games but proved a consistent performer for the Dragons in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition.
"Hame Sele is a tremendous addition to our playing roster," Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould AM said.
"We consider ourselves very fortunate to have recruited such a talented forward at this stage of the season.
"Hame's style of play will complement our forward depth perfectly and coach Ivan Cleary is excited to have him at our club."
Meanwhile, the North Sydney bears have continued their signing spree for the 2019 season.
Sean Sabutey, Honeti Tuha, Nick O'Meley and Tom Freebairn have all signed on as Bears players for 2019, much to the delight of new coach Jason Taylor. This comes shortly after they announced that Brad Deitz and Kurtis Preece joined the club.
"We are very happy with the signing of these four players. Sean was the Club Player of the Year for the Bears last year and we will be hoping he can pick up where he left off.
"Honeti is an 89 game veteran in the ISP and gives us some fantastic versatility as he can play centre, wing and fullback and knows how to find the try line.
"Tom is entering his third season with the Bears and will provide strong defence in our forward pack in 2019. He was selected in the NSW Pioneers v QLD Rangers Ron Massey representative game last year and will continue to push for higher honours with the Bears.
"Finally, Nick, son of Mark O'Meley, has been in the Roosters system for the past few years. He is at home on the wing or at fullback and played a few games for Wyong ISP last season. It's fair to say his fleet footed running style on the wing is a little different to his straight running father."
The Bears will be announcing player signings fortnightly over the off-season.
2019 Squad Updates
23 November - Panthers sign Sele, Bears continue signing spree
8 November – Adam Keighran announced as a Warrior, O'Sullivan heads North
9 October – Wests Tigers promote three, Dragons welcome new trio
25 September – Lino links with Knights
5 September – Kurt Dillon, Bayley Sironen join Rabbitohs
