English club makes major statement with 'huge' All Black signing
TRANSFER NEWS: An All Black loose forward is heading north to greener pastures.
Newcastle Red Bulls have sent a major statement of their intent with the signing of blockbusting No.8 Hoskins Sotutu, who arrives next season on a three-year deal.
The 27-year-old has been capped 14 times by New Zealand.
A prolific try-scorer who has dotted down 31 times in his 80 Super Rugby games, the forward steered the Blues to the 2024 title, taking the Super Rugby MVP award in the process.
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A new force is coming… 😤⚡
🗞️: https://t.co/xTAEoKU7aN pic.twitter.com/U19WePx7y6
— Newcastle Red Bulls (@NCL_RedBulls) December 23, 2025
“This is a huge signing which brings major firepower into the club, and sends a message around the league,” said Newcastle’s sporting general manager Neil McIlroy.
“Hoskins is a player who was very much in demand from other teams, but he has seen what is being planned at Newcastle Red Bulls and wants to be part of it.
“He’s an X-factor player who will make a big impact on the field, and the way he plays will get people off their seats.
“The profile of the club and the PREM as a whole will grow massively as a result of him joining us, and this is a signing which shows we really mean business.”
Sotutu said: “I am excited to be committing to Newcastle Red Bulls’ project moving forward, and coming to compete in the Gallagher PREM week in, week out.
“The club made it clear to me how ambitious they are, and I am looking forward to getting started.
“I have enjoyed my time at the Blues and am looking to finish on a high before hitting the ground running in the North East of England.”