‘He is a very explosive athlete’: Wests Tigers sign former rugby star as veteran winger returns to training

The Wests Tigers have signed hulking outside back Solomon Alaimalo to their top 30 squad, with the former Super Rugby speedster completing his first training session with the club on Monday.

The 27-year-old has decided to switch codes after several seasons with the Chiefs and more recently with Canterbury in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

“We’re very excited to have Solomon join the club,” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said.

“He is a very explosive athlete with great speed, power and agility.

“He will also add leadership and experience to our group, and he is a man of great character.”

Alaimalo will return to New Zealand to be with his family for Christmas before he rejoins his teammates in the new year.

The outside back is listed at 196cm and 99kg and could challenge for spots, with veteran winger David Nofoaluma’s future unclear after he walked out on training last week and reportedly lodged an official complaint with the RLPA over the club’s training methods.

“It’s been a really nice welcome from everyone here at Wests Tigers from the moment I touched down last night,” Alaimalo said on Monday.

“This place (the Zurich Centre) is amazing and I can’t wait to settle in and get stuck into pre-season training.

“There are a lot of guys in the squad who are from back home, including Benji, so that probably will make it even easier for me to adjust to my new home here at Wests Tigers.”