SAMOAN hard man Vila Matautia became a Leigh Centurions player yesterday.

The big front rower put pen to paper on a 12-month contract, ending a long chase for the former St Helens favourite.

But the deal hasn't cost the Leigh club a penny with Matautia's contract being funded by outside sponsorship and by the Leigh Independent Supporters Association.

Matautia, 32, sees himself as a player with the necessary experience to guide Leigh into Super League.

He told the Journal: "I think I can bring a lot of experience and knowledge of the game to Hilton Park and serve as encouragement for the younger players.

" The attraction of coming to Leigh is that it's close to home and it's a club that's really going places. The majority of the other offers I had were some distance away and they wanted me to start straight away.

"Leigh have given me a few weeks off so I can re-charge the old batteries. I've been training and playing now for the best part of a year, so I need a short break.

"Leigh have been knocking on the door of Super League for a couple of years and I think we have the squad capable of knocking that door open. I want to be part of that."

Centurions' head coach Paul Terzis is delighted to have finally got his man.

He says: "With Vila on board it gives us a massive shot in the arm and brings us great Super League experience.

"There's an aura about Vila, he's an outstanding person on and off the field.

"There'll be some opposition players shaking in their shoes at the prospect of facing Vila this season. We think it's a great signing and are looking forward to a great relationship.

"He's a player I felt we needed. It's great to have him on board. He's got outstanding skills in attack and he's a punishing defender.

"Vila will play a variety of roles within he team, whether it's starting a game or coming off the bench."