In bolstering their forward depth the Sharks have signed hard-running Manly forward Jesse Sene-Lefao on a two-year deal after he was released by the Sea Eagles from the final year of his contract.

A late bloomer as an NRL player, the 25-year-old Sene-Lafao was born in Wellington, New Zealand and is of Samoan heritage.

He has played 38 NRL games after making his debut for the Sea Eagles back in round one of the 2013 season and has also represented Samoa in three Test matches.

Sene-Lafao played 11 top grade games for Manly in 2015 after running out for 25 NRL matches the year prior during a season in which he was named as the clubs Rookie of the Year.

Standing at 189cm and tipping the scales at almost 110kgs, he adds size and versatility to the Sharks pack, with Sene-Lafao equally adept at playing prop or in the second row.

Sene-Lafao will join the Sharks for pre-season training prior to Christmas.

His signing complements the acquisitions of halves James Maloney and Chad Townsend, with further additions to the NRL playing group to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Sharks are due to return to training on November 9 to begin preparations for the 2016 season.

Jesse Sene-Lefao

Date of Birth: 08-12-1989

Height: 189cm

Weight: 109kg

Position: Prop

Rep. Honours: 3 Tests Samoa, Four Nations (2014)

Junior Clubs: Penrith Brothers

NRL Games: 38

NRL Games 2015: 11