Gateshead Thunder have pulled off a major coup ahead of next season by completing the signing of former Super League star Nick Johnson.

22 year-old Johnson arrives in the North-East having previously been on the books at Hull KR.

The winger, who had a spell at London Broncos at the end of the 2012 season, has been training with the Hull KR first team for the past 3 years and was awarded his first professional contract in 2012 having impressed for the clubs academy side, where he had been a regular try scorer.

Johnson only started playing the sport at the age of 15, and touredAustraliawith the Great Britain Community Lions in 2010 and is delighted to sign for Thunder;

“I am delighted to sign for Gateshead Thunder. After speaking to Kevin and listening to him about next season and the team he has already started to put together it looks like a great blend of experience and youth.

“Ideally I will move to the North East so I can give everything possible to impress next season.”

Head Coach Kevin Neighbour is delighted with the signing;

“We have a Super League player coming to the North East which speaks volumes about next season, we really want to make a difference an Nick has played at the Highest  level in the country. What else can I say?”