Catalans Dragons sign Australia back row Glenn Stewart

Catalans Dragons have signed Australia Test star Glenn Stewart on a three-year contract from the start of the 2016 season.

The 31-year-old joins the Super League side after NRL side South Sydney Rabitohs agreed to release him from the final year of his contract.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to play in the Super League with a great club like Catalans Dragons," Stewart told Dragons' official website.

"I'm really looking forward to this new challenge and I hope to win some titles with the Dragons. The time is right for my family and me to experience something new in another country. It is a great place to live and I am looking forward to being part of the French lifestyle."

Stewart spent 12 seasons with Manly before joining the Rabitohs ahead of the start of last season. The experienced back rower has made more than 200 appearances in the NRL and has five international caps to his name.

Dragons head coach Laurent Frayssinous said: "I'm delighted that Glenn has chosen to join us from next season. We were looking for an experienced player to complete our pack for next season and it's a great news for the club that we were able to attract a player of Glenn's calibre.

"He will bring his qualities in attack and defence. He will also bring his experience at the very top level to the club along with his leadership skills. He is a true competitor who competes for victory every time he steps on the field."

Catalans have already reinforced their squad for next season with the acquisition of NRL players Dave Taylor and Justin Horo.

Dragons CEO Christophe Jouffret added: "The ambitions of a club can be measured by the quality of recruitment of players. Our earlier announcements of quality players shows our ambitions while today's announcement of Glenn Stewart demonstrates our desire to build a strong and experienced squad to achieve our goals.

"Glenn Stewart will add quality to our squad. We are already looking forward the 2016 Super League season."