Former Brisbane Broncos winger Daniel Vidot has begun training with the Gold Coast Titans but his contract to join the club is yet to be registered and ratified by the NRL.
With Kiwi international Kevin Proctor beginning training with his new club this week the imminent addition of Vidot leaves Gold Coast with just two remaining spots on their roster for 2017, with the club believed to be eyeing off a further outside back and an additional back-rower.
Titans officials are unable to confirm the signing of the hulking Samoan international until officially lodged with the NRL but he joined the rest of the squad for the first week of training for 2017 last week and is set to be with the club for the next two seasons.
Due to turn 27 next month, Vidot has scored 53 tries in 111 NRL games for the Raiders, Dragons and Broncos and last season played for Salford in the English Super League where he took part in just seven games, scoring five tries in an injury-plagued season.
Originally signed to a two-year deal at Salford, Vidot and the club were able to part ways with mutual consent with a year still to run, with the winger paying tribute to the support he received at Salford to reunite with family in Australia.
"It's a decision made purely for my own reasons and has nothing to do with anyone at the club," Vidot said of Salford.
"Everyone here has been massively supportive of me and I can’t thank them enough."
Given the losses of David Mead, Josh Hoffman and Nene Macdonald in the off-season and with unproven outside backs in John Olive and Nathan Davis the addition of Vidot gives Titans coach Neil Henry a big body on the wing capable of getting attacking sets off to a powerful start.
When he made the decision to join Salford after seven years in the NRL Vidot explained that it was to support his mother, stepdad and four siblings, the driving factors in his decision to return home to Queensland after 12 months away.
"Money-wise, me being able to support my family is something that I've always done, ever since I started playing in Canberra," Vidot told The Locker Room podcast.
"In our family it was a very tough upbringing. Money was always an issue for us so that's the biggest factor in me making my decision to move to England, being able to support my family which is already tough as it is.
"Being able to look after them has been my life goal."
