The Ospreys announced today that Australian powerhouse Marika Koroibete had joined the team ahead of the 26/27 season.
The dual-code monster becomes the fourth international and third Australian international to join the club this summer, and brings a plethora of experience and leadership credentials with him to the Ospreys.
Koroibete has made 63 appearances for the Wallabies and is a two-time winner of the John Eales Medal, given to the best Australian Rugby Union player each year, winning the award in 2019 and 2022.
Head Coach, Mark Jones, said: "I think I speak for everyone involved with the club when I say how happy we are to have added such an explosive talent to our squad. I think it says a lot about the club that we are still able to attract overseas players of his calibre."
"This is a signing that we believe will get our supporters up out of their seats, Koroibete is a name that is respected throughout the game and we're extremely excited to have him turning out in an Ospreys jersey.
"Most importantly, he came with glowing references, not only in what he offers on the pitch, but also in his history as a mentor to the players around him. We feel his experience will be extremely beneficial to our youngsters and will have a real ripple effect on their development over the next few years."
Speaking on his move, Koroibete said: "I'm really happy to be joining the Ospreys, I've heard some great things from the boys here already about the team and the environment, so I can't wait to get started.
"The Ospreys are a club known around the world, with a rich history. Some incredible overseas players have played here, Jerry Collins, Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, the list goes on. It's a real privilege to be joining this club and to be following in the footsteps of some greats of the game.
"I spoke to Mark prior to making my decision and he was very clear in what he expects of me in my work on the pitch and my work off it. There are some young, high-potential players in this squad and if I can play a part in helping them to reach the next level of their game, then that is something I will take pride in doing."
We've built a squad brimming with Welsh talent and international stars: Join Marika and the squad at a redeveloped St Helen's this season, with memberships starting from £50.
SEREN Y WALABIAID YN YMUNO Â'R OSPREYS
Cyhoeddodd yr Ospreys heddiw fod y cawr o Awstralia, Marika Koroibete, wedi ymuno â'r tîm cyn tymor 26/27.
Daw'r seren dau-god yn bedwerydd chwaraewr rhyngwladol o Awstralia i ymuno â'r clwb yr haf yma, ac mae'n dod â phrofiad a hygrededd arweinyddiaeth helaeth gydag ef i'r Ospreys.
Mae Koroibete wedi ennill 63 cap dros y Walabiaid ac mae'n ddwywaith yn enillydd Medal John Eales, a roddir i chwaraewr gorau Undeb Rygbi Awstralia bob blwyddyn, gan ennill y wobr yn 2019 a 2022.
Dywedodd y Pen Hyfforddwr Mark Jones: "Rwy'n credu fy mod yn siarad ar ran pawb sy'n gysylltiedig â'r clwb wrth ddweud pa mor falch ydym o fod wedi ychwanegu talent mor ffrwydrol at ein carfan. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn dweud llawer am y clwb ein bod ni'n dal i allu denu chwaraewyr tramor o'i safon ef."
"Mae hwn yn arwyddiad rydym yn credu a fydd yn codi ein cefnogwyr o'u seddi, mae Koroibete yn enw sy'n cael ei barchu ledled y gêm, ac rydym yn hynod gyffrous i'w weld yn gwisgo crys yr Ospreys."
"Yn bwysicaf oll, daeth â geiriau rhagorol, nid yn unig o ran yr hyn mae'n ei gynnig ar y cae, ond hefyd o ran ei hanes fel mentor i'r chwaraewyr o'i gwmpas. Rydym yn teimlo y bydd ei brofiad o fudd mawr i'n chwaraewyr ifanc ac y bydd ganddo effaith donnog wirioneddol ar eu datblygiad dros y blynyddoedd nesaf."
Wrth siarad am ei drosglwyddiad, dywedodd Marika Koroibete: "Rwy'n hapus iawn i fod yn ymuno â'r Ospreys, rwyf eisoes wedi clywed pethau gwych gan y bechgyn yma am y tîm a'r amgylchedd, felly alla i ddim aros i ddechrau."
"Mae'r Ospreys yn glwb sy'n adnabyddus ledled y byd, gyda hanes cyfoethog. Mae rhai chwaraewyr tramor anhygoel wedi chwarae yma, Jerry Collins, Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, a'r rhestr yn parhau. Mae'n fraint go iawn i fod yn ymuno â'r clwb hwn ac i ddilyn ôl troed rhai o fawrion y gêm."
"Siaradais â Mark cyn gwneud fy mhenderfyniad, ac roedd yn glir iawn ynghylch beth mae'n ei ddisgwyl gennyf o ran fy ngwaith ar y cae a fy ngwaith oddi arno. Mae yna chwaraewyr ifanc, addawol iawn yn y garfan hon, ac os gallaf chwarae rhan wrth eu helpu i gyrraedd lefel nesaf eu gêm, yna mae hynny'n rhywbeth y byddaf yn falch iawn o'i wneud."
