Wests Tigers, looking to add depth next year, have announced three signings for the 2016 NRL season.
The club has secured the services of Michael Chee Kam, Jack Littlejohn (both from Manly-Warringah) and Jesse Parahi (Australian Rugby Union) – all on one-year contracts.
Chee Kam, 23, has played two NRL games for Manly-Warringah and is a former Australian Schoolboys representative who plays primarily in the back row.
Littlejohn, also 23, has played five NRL games for the Sea Eagles and can cover a range of positions in the backline but is seen as predominantly a five-eighth or halfback.
Parahi has been a mainstay of the Australian Rugby Sevens team since making his debut in 2010, notching up 33 caps to date.
The 26-year-old captained the Australian squad during various IRB World Series tournaments and won a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth games tournament.
Head coach Jason Taylor said that all three players will be valuable additions for next season as the club looks to strengthen its NRL squad.
“It’s really important for us to start building our depth at the club,” Taylor said.
“These three guys are going to help us do that.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“They are all talented players in their own right and having spoken to them each individually, I know that they are coming here to push for first grade position and that’s what we want.[/social_quote]
“It’s important to have those players at our club who are willing to put in the desired work and effort – both on and off the field – to get themselves in a position where they are genuinely pushing for an NRL position.
“These guys have that ambition and it’s going to build competition within our ranks which will help push us forward as a club.”
♦ Player Profiles
Michael Chee Kam
Date of Birth: 26-02-1992
Height: 189cm
Weight: 103kg
Position: Second Row, Centre
Rep. Honours: Australian Schoolboys
Junior Clubs: Mt Wellington Warriors
Previous Clubs: Canberra Raiders (NYC)
FG Debut: Manly Warringah v North Queensland, 1300SMILES Stadium, 06/09/2014 (Rd26)
Jack Littlejohn
Date of Birth: 08-11-1991
Height: 187cm
Weight: 93kg
Position: Five-eighth, Halfback, Centre, Fullback
Junior Clubs: Wagga Wagga Brothers
Previous Clubs: Sydney Roosters (NYC), Newtown Jets, Canterbury Bulldogs (both NSW Cup)
FG Debut: Manly Warringah v Canberra, Brookvale Oval, 27/04/2014 (Rd8)
Jesse Parahi
Date of Birth: 29-07-1989
Height: 190cm
Weight: 101kg
Aus Sevens Debut: London, England (May 2010)
Representative honours: Australian Schools (2007), Commonwealth Games (2014)
