Leigh have made another high-profile signing from the NRL, much to the surprise of owner Derek Beaumont.
The relegated Centurions have followed up the capture of Samoan full-back Peter Mata'utia from Newcastle Knights with the acquisition of New Zealand Warriors forward Bodene Thompson on a two-year contract.
The 29-year-old Thompson, who played for New Zealand Maori against England in 2010 and was called up for the Kiwis' Four Nations squad in 2014 as a late replacement for Sam Moa, was persuaded to join Leigh by head of rugby Keiron Cunningham.
Beaumont said: "This is a real quality signing for the club. I was a little dubious when Kez said he had landed this one and as time pressed on I had thought it wasn't going to happen with us being in the Championship.
"But fair play to him, he worked hard to get it over the line and big respect to Bodene for buying into what we are doing. He plays the style of rugby I love to watch and I am really looking forward to meeting him."
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