Promising centre Gehamat Shibasaki has joined the nib Newcastle Knights from Brisbane with immediate effect.

The 21-year-old has signed a three-year-deal with the Club after gaining a release from the Broncos.

A former Queensland under 20s and Junior Kangaroos representative, Shibasaki arrives with a wealth of potential.

“He has NRL experience and is a strong defender. We need to be a resilient, strong defensive club. He’s a big and powerful centre,” coach Adam O’Brien said.

“He adds the needed depth to our outside backs with Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jesse Ramien leaving. He’s competitive and looks to have a tough mindset.”

The centre made 12 appearances for the Broncos last season, taking his total first grade games to 13.

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A Townsville Brothers junior, Shibasaki joins the club until at least the end of 2021 with an option for 2022.

“He’s a competitive player and at a time in his career where he’s about to make a real jump,” Recruitment Manager, Alex McKinnon said.

“He’s a player I’ve watched for four years now. I remember seeing him in the 20s competition.

“He was recently involved with the Junior Kangaroos, so he’s in the window as a junior representative player. He’s a very good defensive centre, who carries the ball really well from his own half and helps us long-term in the outside backs.

"He’s had a great development at the Broncos and comes to the Knights at the right time in his career.

“He has a lot of attributes we can improve as a club through coaching and I don’t think representative football is out of his reach.”