SAINTS half-back Dave Hewitt has joined Sheffield Eagles on a two-year deal.

Hewitt will link up with former team mate Matty Fozard who also swapped Langtree Park for South Yorkshire last month.

A statement from Saints read: “We’re really sad to see Dave Hewitt leave the club.

“Dave has been with us since 2011 after joining from Bold Miners and toured Australia with the Academy the same year.

“He has a great attitude and demonstrated that in the Academy and on loan at Oldham last season. Naturally he wants regular first team football at the highest level and this move will enable him to get that.

“We wish him all the best and will be monitoring his progress. We’ve no doubt he will do really well for the Eagles.”

The versatile performer spent time out on loan at Championship One side Oldham last season.

Eagles director of rugby Mark Aston said: "He is a player that we really like and he comes to us highly recommended by some senior figures in the game.

"Dave is another that has got bags of talent and he is coming to us from a full-time environment which will help his integration. He knows Matty (Fozard) and both George (Tyson) and Adam (Neal) from playing with them at St Helens and Oldham, so he has familiar faces already in our set-up.

"I have spoken before about how excited I am about some of the young lads we have brought to the club during the close season, and Dave is another who we think will really thrive here."

The 19-year-old has represented England at youth level.