Newcastle Falcons have signed centre Ryan Shortland from New Zealand provincial outfit Otago.
The 25-year-old switched codes from Rugby League in 2008 and made the Otago squad for the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup.
Shortland began his career in the National Rugby League (NRL) for Melbourne Storm before moving to the New Zealand Warriors and joins the club ahead of the 2011/12 season.
"He's been scoring tries for the Waratahs A team and he's recently been training with their first team," said Falcons head coach Alan Tait.
"He's also English qualified which is great. He runs hard, he's strong and Ryan is a great signing for the club."