Promising centre Gehamat Shibasaki has joined the nib Newcastle Knights from Brisbane with immediate effect.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year-deal with the Club after gaining a release from the Broncos.
A former Queensland under 20s and Junior Kangaroos representative, Shibasaki arrives with a wealth of potential.
“He has NRL experience and is a strong defender. We need to be a resilient, strong defensive club. He’s a big and powerful centre,” coach Adam O’Brien said.
“He adds the needed depth to our outside backs with Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jesse Ramien leaving. He’s competitive and looks to have a tough mindset.”
The centre made 12 appearances for the Broncos last season, taking his total first grade games to 13.
Download our app and receive breaking news alerts from Knights HQ. Click here for iTunes and here for Google Play!
A Townsville Brothers junior, Shibasaki joins the club until at least the end of 2021 with an option for 2022.
“He’s a competitive player and at a time in his career where he’s about to make a real jump,” Recruitment Manager, Alex McKinnon said.
“He’s a player I’ve watched for four years now. I remember seeing him in the 20s competition.
“He was recently involved with the Junior Kangaroos, so he’s in the window as a junior representative player. He’s a very good defensive centre, who carries the ball really well from his own half and helps us long-term in the outside backs.
"He’s had a great development at the Broncos and comes to the Knights at the right time in his career.
“He has a lot of attributes we can improve as a club through coaching and I don’t think representative football is out of his reach.”
