Castleford sign Aussie Grehan

Australian centre or back row forward James Grehan on Monday signed a one-year contract with English Super League side Castleford from French club Limoux.

The 23-year-old ex-St George junior and Parramatta squad member was man of the match in Western Suburbs' Illawarra league Grand Final victory in September, since when he has been playing for Limoux.

"I'm looking to earn a two-year deal and settle down over here," said Grehan.

"Both my mum and dad are English and I've always wanted to come and play here.

"This is a big opportunity for me and I intend to make the most of it."

The capture of Grehan ends Castleford coach Ian Millward's search for a threequarter.

"Centre is an area where we are short in numbers and we needed depth in this position before the season started," Millward said.

"Jimmy runs very good lines in attack and has good mobility in defence.

"He is more of a second row who can play centre but we believe we might have unearthed someone on an incentive-based contract in Jimmy who we might want to tie down if things work out as a second row in the longer term.

"In the short term he will be useful in that he can do a good job for us in the centres.

"He passed his medical this morning. He's in good shape, very athletic and defensively he brings some good qualities.

"With the team averaging 30 points a game last season, it was a case of asking ourselves whether we feel he can help improve our defence. We feel he can and that is why we have signed him."

I personally can't give an opinion on this player as I've never heard of him, but good luck to Grehan for having a go...