Ambitious Newcastle Red Bulls have signed England A full-back Josh Hodge from Exeter on a three-year contract.
Hodge, 25, who left Newcastle five years ago to move to the Chiefs, will return to the north east next season, saying he has “unfinished business” with the club.
It is another significant move from the Red Bulls who confirmed the signing of highly-rated Blues number eight, and New Zealand international, Hoskins Sotutu last week.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to Newcastle Red Bulls,” Hodge told the club’s website., external
“There is a lot of unfinished business for me in Newcastle, and with Red Bull coming in it’s exciting times for the club. I can’t wait to see what we can do over the next three seasons.
“I knew that if I got the opportunity to go back to Newcastle, where it all started for me as a professional rugby player, it would be hard to turn it down.
“I cannot wait to be back playing in front of the northern crowd. The north is my home and the Newcastle supporters are incredible.”
Hodge, a former England Under-20 international, has scored 29 tries in his 89 appearances for the Chiefs.
As a product of the Newcastle academy, Hodge’s homecoming represents a turning of the tide of recent seasons, with the club’s sporting general manager Neil McIlroy keen to see the deal as a statement to their emerging talent.
“There’s understandable frustration around the number of players who have developed in Newcastle’s academy, but who have moved away to fulfil their ambitions,” McIlroy said.
“We are committed to Newcastle Red Bulls being a club where homegrown talent can flourish, so that the Josh Hodges of the future will not feel the need to go elsewhere.
“He is a quality English player who will significantly strengthen our squad and anyone who watches Prem rugby will be aware what a huge talent he is.
“At full-back or wing he has pace to burn and a fantastic kicking game, but in addition to that there is a wider statement about us wanting this to be a club where English talent can prosper.”
Newcastle have lost all eight of their Prem matches this season but picked up their first losing bonus point in the 36-27 away defeat by Bristol on Saturday.
