NEW Brighton Rugby Club’s signing spree has seen the arrival of a fourth national level player in less than a month.

Ryan Stead, one of the most respected second row forwards in the national leagues, is the latest big-name to sign for the club, joining from National League Wirral where he's spent the last decade.

Stead brings top-level playing experience and leadership qualities to New Brighton where he will take on the role of player/coach, acting as assistant to the club's director of rugby, Alastair Saverimutto.

"This represents a very exciting new challenge for me, " said Stead. "I think everyone inside rugby union has been impressed by the level of ambition which New Brighton has shown over the past few weeks.

"The club has made it clear that it intends to return itself to a position of firstly respectability, and then prominence, inside the game.

"I did play a couple of seasons at the club many years ago so I am fully aware of two things - the hard work which will be required and the potential there is inside the club."

After starting his career at Leeds Carnegie, Stead moved to Birkenhead Park before joining Wirral where he made 190 Senior 1st XV appearances. He has played at North Premier level for the past five years and has represented his county at different age groups.

As well as coaching the senior side Stead will also join Saverimutto in overseeing the development of New Brighton's talented younger players.

"Helping along the young players who will hopefully go on to form the bedrock of the New Brighton side for many years to come really does appeal to me. I have enjoyed a fantastic rugby career so far and this is the perfect opportunity to start to put something back in - to help the next generation of players, " said Stead.

Since announcing hugely ambitious plans to revitalise the Club last month, Saverimutto has orchestrated a massive overhaul of the senior playing squad including new youth talent pathways that will develop and nurture the club’s future 1st team players.

Stead's arrival follows the signings of Matthew Van Sertima, Jordan Lomax and Brendan Costello - with more player signings promised in the weeks ahead.

" We are working tirelessly to improve the quality of our first-team playing pool whilst being mindful that we must also build for the future, " added Saverimutto.