Newcastle Falcons have signed former Jersey Reds centre Jordan Holgate until the end of the current season.

The 26-year-old helped steer Jersey to last season’s RFU Championship title and scored a try during September’s memorable Premiership Rugby Cup victory away to Bath.

Following the Reds’ removal from the Championship due to financial reasons Holgate has spent the past few months training with the Falcons while playing for Darlington Mowden Park in National One.

During this time he has impressed Newcastle’s coaching staff enough to be considered for first-team selection, and will be available until at least the end of the campaign.

Head coach Alex Codling said: “It feels strange to be talking about Jordan as a new signing because he’s actually been with us for the past couple of months, but it’s great now having him available for selection.

“He did really well with Jersey before the sad events during the early part of the season, but out of something so bad at least this new opportunity has opened up for him at Newcastle.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Jordan in a Falcons shirt. He is a player who has a lot to offer, and he brings something different to our midfield options in terms of his running game and the opportunities that opens up.”

Explaining his rugby journey, Holgate said: “I was born in Cape Town and started my rugby there with Wynberg Boys and Western Province before heading up north and spending a couple of years with the Bulls.”

Going on to play for Boland Cavaliers in South Africa’s Currie Cup before spending a season with Russian side Slava Moscow, Holgate moved over to the Channel Islands and was a key part of the Jersey side which won last season’s Championship title.

“It was a bittersweet couple of months with winning the Championship and then having the club drop out of the league, with all of the uncertainty it brought,” he said.

“I’m excited to be at Newcastle Falcons and grateful to have the opportunity of playing at the top level. Hopefully I can bring some energy and go-forward to the midfield, and just offer something different.

“The fact that I’ve already been training here for a couple of months is obviously helpful in terms of knowing the boys and all the plays, and everyone here has been really good with me.

“I was coached by our attack coach Tom Williams at Jersey and had James Elliott and John Hawkins as team-mates, which has helped the transition here, but the boys have all been great and I’m looking forward to hopefully showing what I can bring to the team.”

Click here to watch some of Jordan’s highlights.

JORDAN HOLGATE BIO

Position: Centre

Born: 2/6/1997

Height: 1.91m (6ft 3)

Weight: 108kg (17st)

Newcastle Falcons are next in action on Friday night when they host Bristol Bears in Gallagher Premiership action. Click here to buy tickets for the 7.45pm kick-off.