The Canberra Raiders have signed two stars of the English Super League, with Josh Hodgson (Hull KR) and Iosia Soliola (St Helens) agreeing to two year deals with the Raiders from the start of 2015.
Hodgson (24) has played over 100 matches in the Super League, predominantly playing hooker for the Hull Kingston Rovers after making his debut with Hull FC in 2009.
Soliola (27) made his debut for the Sydney Roosters in 2005, playing five seasons with the Roosters before joining St Helens in 2010 where he has played for the past five seasons.
Both Soliola and Hodgson have played representative football, with Soliola playing 11 tests for New Zealand and four matches for Samoa at World Cup at the end of 2013. Hodgson has played two matches for the England Knights.
Raiders CEO Don Furner said the club was looking forward to both Hodgson and Soliola joining the Raiders for 2015 and said they would bring experience and enthusiasm to the squad.
“Both Iosia and Josh are fantastic signings for the Raiders for the next two years and we believe their experience will be invaluable for our squad,” Furner said. “Both players are having fantastic seasons in the English Super League and we look forward to them joining the Raiders for the pre-season.”
Josh Hodgson
Age: 24
Height: 177cm
Weight: 99kg
Super League Debut: Hull FC v Warrington, KC Stadium, 16/05/2009 (Round 13)
Super League Matches: 122 (Hull FC 2009, Hull KR 2010-Present)
Iosia Soliola
Age: 27
Height: 182cm
Weight: 96kg
NRL Debut: Sydney v South Sydney, Sydney Football Stadium, 12/03/2005 (Round 1)
NRL Matches: 92 (Roosters 2005-2009)
Super League Matches: 96 (St Helens 2010-Present)
