Leigh Centurions are delighted to confirm the signing of Travis Burns on loan from St Helens until the end of the current season.

The 31-year-old Queenslander is a vastly experienced player in both the NRL and Super League and though best known as a goal-kicking stand-off is a highly versatile pivot player.

After beginning his NRL career with Manly in 2005, Burns later played for North Queensland Cowboys and Penrith Panthers before making the move to Hull KR in 2013. After two impressive seasons there he moved to St Helens for a reported £60,000 fee on a three-year contract.

He is credited with just over 200 senior appearances, 127 gained in eight seasons in the NRL and in his first season with Hull KR showed his prowess as a goal-kicker, landing 80 goals including two drop goals.

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Neil Jukes said: "Travis will add huge experience to our squad. He will no doubt enhance the culture and standards off the field just as much as on it.

"He is a great competitor and wants to win at all costs which I'm sure will bear well with his new team mates and in particular our great fans. There is one goal to achieve and should we give ourselves a chance to prevail we will need quality in depth across the board. With Travis and with Gregg McNally nearing in on full fitness it certainly creates that.

"A lot of Super League clubs were interested in securing Travis's services but he showed a strong desire to join our Club which speaks volumes for the feedback he was given by current and previous players and again gives us all confidence that we are moving in the right direction on and off the field.

"I'd like to thank Mike Rush, the CEO at St Helens and George Mimis (Travis's agent) in particular for their help during this process and look forward to welcoming Travis to our Club."

Leigh Centurions Owner Derek Beaumont said: "It gives me great pleasure to welcome Travis to our Club and is yet again a ‎clear indication of our ambitions to reach Super League. We have been monitoring his position for a while and I had no hesitation in supporting Neil and his team in making the move once the opportunity arose.

"Anything that can strengthen the squad and its opportunity to achieve its goals must be capitalised upon where possible and whilst this increases competition in the squad and adds pressure to the selection process that can't be a contributing factor when making signings.

"Apart from my desire and single minded approach to succeed I also have a significant amount of money invested in the Club with increased commitments next year and therefore it would be naive of me not to support those I empower to shape the right squad to select from to reach Super League. We fell well short in the 8s last year after a great season and looking at the teams likely to be in the Middle 8s at this stage we will have a very tough job on our hands.

"We are going well and sit top of the league but we will not become complacent and rest on our laurels. We have now got a solid coaching team in place with Cookey's addition and that will be even stronger next year when Kieron is added.

"I will listen to them and support them as I have always stated I will and I look forward to Travis earning his opportunity to showcase the skills that have made him so successful in the game. It is a great time to be a Leigh Centurions fan and I urge all our passionate fans to spread the word of what is going on in the LSV and bring a friend as we shape the Club's future."

Welcome on board Travis.

Quality players are always welcome.

200+ NRL and SL matches under his belt too so definitely adds experience to the side.

Welcome aboard Travis!

Where does this leave Reynolds and Drinkwater? Hopefully they both stick with us as they're cracking young players..... Has Ridyard got a long term injury?

May be Patterson as burns at loose could be interesting

would be if I knew what you mean't Mo lol

Nothing wrong with Reynolds, Drinkwater, Hood and Foster playing but with Higham and I’m guessing Riddy missing we’re lacking experience in the middle so Burns is a great addition, and as Mo says he can fill in at loose with Hock leaving a hole in the forwards, not sure where Paterson’s up to?

Are we simply seeing a changing of the guard?

Seriously exciting times at Leigh. I can't wait to get down to the LSV on the 12th. Well done Derek and Co'.

Possibly.

I’ve not always agreed with what DB says or the way he says it, but I can’t knock his willingness and commitment to respond to anything that could potentially knock us off track, we may not get there but it won't be for the lack of support from DB and for that I am grateful.

That's a great coup for you guys... We've been looking for a halfback for months and Leigh sign 2 within a month!

If Riddy is injured and Micky is banned for a few matches then our halves pairing and 2 hookers is likely to be Drinkwater (23), Reynolds (22), Hood (24) and Foster (22). Very young line up for such important positions no matter how talented they are.

An experienced head like Burns to help take control and guide the team around the field could be a real benefit in the next few weeks with some key players missing. Be interesting to see if he plays at 6/7/9 or even 13.

What a stunning signing. Seriously exciting times at the minute. Two quality half backs in as many weeks. Well done DB. I'm very, very excited!

Blimey...the signing has even made the BBC sports website !!!