The Johns surname is potentially returning to Newcastle's NRL team next season for the first time since 2007 after the club announced the signing of Jack Johns.
The son of Matthew and nephew of Andrew Johns, he has signed a one-year development deal with the Knights after breaking into the Telstra Premiership ranks with South Sydney in 2020, making his debut in round 11 against Canberra.
The 23-year-old forward played 24 games for the Knights at under-20 level in 2017 and finished the year playing in the World Cup for Italy.
With a much bigger build than his father, Johns has grown into a dynamic and strong back-rower with sky-high potential, while still being at home in the No.6 jersey his father made so famous in the 1990s.
Knights football manager Danny Buderus, who played alongside Johns' famous relatives, believed the new recruit could be a handy pick-up for the club.
"Jack has developed both physically and as a footballer, while being a much different shape to Matty and Andrew," he said.
"His transition into a ball-playing middle forward with good footwork will provide a skill set which adds to the depth of our squad."
Knights' top five tries of 2020
The Knights have been busy on the signings front this week - on Thursday they announced the signing of English young gun Bailey Hodgson on a three-year deal.
The nephew of Canberra's England Test hooker Josh Hodgson made his Super League debut for the Castleford Tigers, just 10 days after his 18th birthday.
At home at fullback and in the centres, Hodgson will bring a mix of strike, balance and game awareness skills to their squad.
They have also added veteran Bulldogs forward Sausao Sue and re-signed prop Josh King.
