Catalans Dragons are pleased to announce the signing of Leeds Rhinos hooker Paul Aiton on a three-year contract from the start of the 2016 season.

On signing with the Dragons, Paul Aiton said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of joining Catalans and a new lifestyle in Perpignan. I will always be honoured to have played for Leeds Rhinos but the opportunity to move to France from next season and be part of the Dragons was something that excited me at this stage in my career. Now that my future is sorted, my sole focus is on finishing this season in the best possible fashion and hopefully helping the Rhinos make more history." 

Aiton, 30, started his career at Penrith in 2006 where he spent three seasons, making 72 appearances and scoring eight tries. In 2010, he joined Cronulla where he made 36 apperances.

After 108 NRL games, he decided to join Wakefield in the Super League in 2012. He was one of the Wildcats stand out players, making a total of 47 appearances and winning their 2013 Player of the Year award, before moving to Leeds in 2014, winning the Challenge Cup winners medal on his first season at the club.

He was named in the Papua New Guinea training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and captained Papua New Guinea in the 2010 Four Nations tournament. He featured in all three of their group games against France, Samoa and New Zealand during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Catalans Dragons Head coach Laurent Frayssinous said: "I’m delighted that Paul has chosen to join us from next season. He will bring his experience, his qualities in attack and his attitude in defense. With a player like Ian Henderson leaving the club at the end of the season, it was important for us to replace him by a player of Paul's calibre. He has become one of the players in Super League that sets the benchmark in his position.”

Paul Aiton

Date of Birth: 29 May, 1985
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 88 kg
Position: Hooker
Rep. Honours: Papua New Guinea : 12 apperances, 1 try
Previous Clubs: Penrith Panthers, Cronulla Sharks, Wakefields Wildcats, Leeds Rhinos
NRL Debut: Penrith v Cronulla, April 28th, 2006
Club Stats: Penrith (2006-09) : 72 apperances, 8 tries | Cronulla (2010-11) : 36 apperances, 5 tries | Wakefield Wildcats (2012-13) : 47 apperances, 7 tries | Leeds Rhinos (2014-15) : 42 apperances, 2 tries