Sale Sharks centre Connor Doherty is Newcastle Falcons’ latest signing ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The 23-year-old arrives on a one-year deal which reunites him with former boss Steve Diamond, with Doherty having been in Sale’s academy from the age of 14.

The Altrincham Kersal junior attended Kirkham Grammar School and made his first-team debut for Sale Sharks at the age of just 17, with the England Under-20s cap earning a reputation for hard midfield running.

Playing seven matches for Sale this season including Champions Cup ties against Leinster and Stade Francais, consultant director of rugby Diamond believes he will be a perfect fit for the Falcons during the 2024-25 campaign.

“Connor was coming through the academy at Sale when I was there, and he’s got a really bright future,” said the Newcastle boss.

“We’ve got an arrangement with Sale where he comes to us for next season. He’ll be with us for the full year and can’t be recalled during that time, after which point he will head back to Manchester.

“He’ll be a really good addition for us. He’s powerful, gets over the gain line, hits big and he’s happy in either of the centre positions.”

Excited by the prospect of a year on Tyneside, Doherty said: “I’m really looking forward to getting up there in the summer.

“It’s a chance to hopefully play some rugby, and I’ve got a great relationship with Steve Diamond, who brought me through the club originally.”

Asked what he hopes to add to the squad, the centre replied: “One of the things Dimes always talks about is that northern grit aspect, and that’s a big part of my game.

“I’m quite aggressive and agile, and I’m happy to play in either of the centre positions. I just see this as a really positive move, and hopefully I can contribute to a strong showing from Newcastle next season.”

Doherty becomes Newcastle Falcons’ seventh new signing for the 2024-25 season, following the previously announced arrivals of prop Luan de Bruin (Edinburgh), flanker Cameron Neild (Sale Sharks), fly-half Kieran Wilkinson (Leicester Tigers), wing/centre Alex Hearle (Gloucester) and propping twins Connor and Callum Hancock (England Students and Leeds Beckett University).

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CONNOR DOHERTY BIOG

Born: 18/7/2000

Position: Centre

Height: 1.91m (6 foot 3)

Weight: 97kg (15 stone 4)

Honours: England U20