De Vere signing marks new era for Huddersfield

Huddersfield have made what they describe as the biggest signing of their modern history by agreeing a two-year deal with the current Australian Test centre, Michael De Vere.

The 27-year-old Brisbane Broncos and New South Wales player had offers from several other Super League clubs.

"But everyone highly recommended Huddersfield as a club that is moving in the right direction," said De Vere, who was also linked with Wakefield, Hull and Wigan. "I knew from playing there that they have great facilities and Darren Smith, who played under him at St Helens, has told me that Jon Sharp is a great young coach."

Huddersfield have not signed a current Australian international since the Second World War. "It's a proud moment for me to be able to coach one of the best centres in the world," Sharp said.

De Vere is Brisbane's record points scorer and has also scored 64 tries in his 161 first grade games for them.

His Brisbane career has ended in disappointment, however, with a knee ligament injury in training which requires an operation and has put him out for the rest of the season.

"He will hit the ground running with the Giants next January," said Sharp, who will have to shed two of his other overseas players to get within next season's import quota.

The Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, says he feels "utterly let down" by St George-Illawarra blocking Mark Gasnier's move, but says there is still a glimmer of a chance of reviving the deal.