HULL KR: Clinton's ready to roll at Rovers

JOEL Clinton has signed a three-year deal at Hull KR – the Mail can today exclusively confirm.

The player's agent David Riolo has confirmed the signing after weeks of speculation over the deal.

It is the first time the signing has been officially commented on by any party involved.

Rovers are yet to make any announcement, preferring to wait until his visa to enter the UK is granted.

But Riolo admitted it is a done deal – and that there are no concerns over the 28-year-old's visa application.

The former Brisbane Broncos prop even hopes to be at Craven Park within a fortnight – and ready for the Super League opener against Salford on February 7.

Should his visa arrive soon, he may even have a chance of playing in the Robins friendly against Bradford Bulls at Odsal on January 28 – KR's only remaining warm-up against Super League opponents after Sunday's derby.

"Joel is just waiting for his visa and then he'll be on his way," Riolo told the Mail.

"All the paperwork has been done and everything is in place.

"He's ready to go as soon as the visa comes through.

"Some rugby league players have received their visas within 10 days, others four weeks. Over the last 12 to 18 months, the visa applications have tightened up and we have to be patient.

"But Joel has nothing in his past to slow up his application and all being well I hope he could be in England in a couple of weeks."

Clinton is currently staying at his father's house in Australia as he prepares for life in Super League with the Robins.

However, Riolo insists that despite being released from his contract by Brisbane, he has continued to train with the club to maintain his fitness levels.

"He wants to be ready to play as soon as he arrives in England," Riolo said.

"He's really looking forward to getting there and getting started and that is why he has been training with Brisbane."

Clinton is seen as the missing piece in Rovers' jigsaw for the 2010 season.

Having released forwards Makali Aizue and Nick Fozzard, coach Justin Morgan made no secret of his desire to bring in a hard-hitting prop.

He will form a new-look front row at the Robins alongside captain Mick Vella and Scott Murrell at hooker.

The Mail understands his arrival will take Rovers close to the salary cap limit, with the club looking to move at least one player out to accommodate their new arrival.

Clinton has made more than 180 appearances in the NRL for Penrith and more recently Brisbane, where he was the highest paid prop, on £150,000 a year.

Like Vella, he has represented his country, playing against New Zealand in the ANZAC Test.

Morgan also has Scott Wheeldon, David Mills, Rhys Lovegrove, Jason Netherton and Liam Watts to rotate in his forward line this year.