Jersey Reds hooker Charlie Maddison has returned to his native North East, signing a two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons.
The 28-year-old was born in Hexham and played his early rugby with Tynedale, featuring in 18 of Jersey’s 22 Championship games last season.
Maddison joined the Reds last summer after three seasons at Rotherham where he held the club captaincy, having previously played for Darlington Mowden Park.
Standing at 6 foot 2 the North Easterner adds another physical presence to the Newcastle front row, director of rugby Dean Richards saying: “Charlie is a good player who has been on our radar for some time now.
“He is a tough competitor who knows the Championship well, he will help drive the competition for places and give us the squad depth needed to achieve our season goal of promotion back into the Premiership.”
Maddison said: “With being from the North East it has always been an ambition of mine to play for Newcastle Falcons, so it’s fantastic to have completed the move.
“All my attention now is just on working hard to learn the ropes and contributing as best I can to the success of the team.”
Maddison has already linked up with the Newcastle Falcons squad, and is attending this week’s training camp at the University of St Andrews.