YORK City Knights have signed centre Tyme Nikau for the 2021 campaign.

Nikau joins York following a brief stint at Betfred League 1 side North Wales Crusaders where he was unable to play for the before the season was curtailed amid the pandemic.

In his earlier career, the 26-year-old featured for the development squads at NRL clubs Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors.

After a couple of seasons with Maitland Pickers in Australia’s Newcastle Rugby League division, he then turned out for Burri Burri Bulldogs in the same competition before heading to the UK in March.

Tyme is the son of former New Zealand international, NRL and Super League star Tawera Nikau who represented Ryedale-York in the early 1990s.

On the signing, Knights head coach James Ford said: “Tyme is a big athletic outside back who has shown lots of skill and physical qualities in the footage I’ve seen.

“I was very impressed with Tyme’s maturity, character and drive when we met and I’m excited to work with him and help him fulfil his ambitions.

"Tyme will face stiff competition for a slot in our 17, but I’m sure that will bring out the best in him.”

Nikau said: “It feels great to have signed for the Knights. From what I’ve seen and heard I’m really excited to be joining the team and becoming a part of the organisation.”

Nikau becomes the Knights' fifth signing of the off-season, having already brought in London Broncos half-back Morgan Smith and Danny Kirmond, Harry Dodd and Daniel Barcoe from Betfred Super League outfit Wakefield Trinity.