Aussie youngster signs for Top 14 club despite drugs charge
TRANSFER NEWS: Australian back Izaia Perese signed for French Top 14 club Bayonne on Saturday, despite being released by Rugby League side the Brisbane Broncos over a drugs charge.
The 23-year-old, who can play either as a wing or a centre, was charged on a drugs-related offence earlier this year and saw his contract ripped up by NRL side the Broncos.
Released on bail, he was the beneficiary of a leniency measure allowing him to leave Australia.
Perese previously played for Super Rugby outfit the Queensland Reds, scoring four tries in 17 appearances and attracting the attention of then-Australia coach Michael Cheika.
He is expected to arrive in France in July.
The French Top 14 season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the 2020-21 campaign due to get underway in September.
