Newcastle have announced they have signed Cronulla hooker Isaac De Gois on a three-year NRL deal.

De Gois will join the Knights in 2009 and is likely to become their first-choice hooker as skipper Danny Buderus is off to finish his career in the UK Super League.

"He was our first choice and his attributes are skill and speed," said Knights coach Brian Smith.

"He offers us his own characteristics and qualities and in the same way we didn't try to replace Andrew Johns, we're not trying to replace Danny Buderus because we need Danny's qualities to be picked up by the team and not just one individual.

"He suits the way we want our club to move in the future and fits that mould of skilful attacking hookers."

De Gois first caught the Newcastle coach's attention as a Magpies junior before moving into the Wests Tigers senior grades in 2006.

In his debut season at the Sharks last year the punishing defender played all 24 games.

Newcastle chief executive Steve Burraston said the announcement is another step forward for the Knights as the club continues to rebuild its reputation as a genuine premiership threat.

"He's an exceptionally strong defender, exciting from dummy half and will be a valuable asset as we prepare for a future without Danny Buderus," he said.

"Isaac is extremely durable, he can play a lot of minutes and he's a great character. We look forward to welcoming him to Newcastle."

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