Nathan Brown has been appointed as the Newcastle Knights head coach, formally signing a three-year contract on Wednesday.

After playing 172 NRL games, Brown coached the St George Illawarra Dragons from 2003 to 2008 before joining the Huddersfield Giants in 2009 and then St Helens in 2013. At St Helens, Brown coached the side to the 2014 Super League championship.

Brown returned to Australia this year after six years in the English Super League and joined the Melbourne Storm as a coaching consultant.

"After coaching for six years in England, which was about gaining experience to come back and get a job in the NRL, I am really excited about the opportunity to coach such a great Club," Brown said.

"No doubt it is going to be a challenge, and it is one that I am quite experienced at in regards to rebuilding a Club. That makes this the ideal time."

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