Castleford Tigers: Putt and El-Zakhem join, new contract for Joe Westerman

Nixon Putt scored two tries and was player of the match in Papua New Guinea's win over Wales in last year's World Cup

Castleford Tigers have signed forwards Nixon Putt and Elie El-Zakhem.

Papua New Guinea international Putt, 27, joins from Australian second-tier side Central Queensland Capras.

Lebanon international El-Zakhem, 25, has signed from North Sydney Bears, the feeder club for NRL side Sydney Roosters.

In a busy day for the Tigers, forward Joe Westerman has agreed a two-year contract extension with the Super League club.

Putt was part of the Papua New Guinea squad at last year's World Cup and will now move to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

"I'm really excited because it's like my dream come true," he told the Castleford website.

El-Zakhem has joined on a two-year contract after helping the Bears reach the NSW Cup final.

He told the Castleford website: "I've been playing since under sevens. My brother signed me up for the local footy comp.

"I never wanted to play professionally to begin with but just fell in love with it and I've been playing at representative level since around age 16 and then reserve grade for the past five years or so."

Loose forward Westerman, 33, who has made 154 appearances across two spells with the club, will stay with the Tigers until 2025.

He has played in Super League for four clubs after spells with Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and Wakefield, and has been the Tigers' player of the year in each of the past two seasons.

"I always wanted to end my career at Cas," Westerman said.

"It's something that's really close to me and I've been a Cas supporter since I was about six years old, so I love the club and I want to play my best rugby here and do my best to take Cas as far as I can."