Huddersfield Giants’ marquee signing Ukuma Ta’ai has been granted his visa and is expected to fly into the country shortly, the club have announced.

The 26-year-old Tongan international forward, who has spent the last four seasons with New Zealand Warriors, has signed a three-year contract with the Giants but his arrival has been held up by red tape.

Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis said: “The news from Manilla in respect of Ukuma is very good for everyone concerned, not least for Ukuma and his family who have had a worrying time.

“He is in receipt of an email confirming all is in order and that his visa has been granted so the process now is simply to wait for his passport to be returned to him from Manilla and he can then board the plane to England.”