Wests Tigers are going tit for tat with the Sharks in the signing stakes by poaching one of Cronulla's own in Mitch Brown.

The Tigers signed the 21-year-old Sharks utility to a two-year contract just days after losing centre Dean Collis to Cronulla.

Brown has played 33 first-grade games for the Sharks following his debut in 2006 and has regularly come off the bench to slot into the backline.

Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons said the fact Brown can play a number of positions means he will bring versatility to the side and arrives at a perfect time in his career.

"Mitch can play fullback, wing and centre so he brings plenty of versatility to us," he said.

"At the end of the year, he'll have played about 40 games and that's the time when players generally start to play good footy.

"When they get 40-odd games under their belt, they've got experience and they start feeling a part of the first-grade team.

"So his best years are in front of him, there's no doubt about that."

Brown was part of the 2005 Australian schoolboys under-18s team which boasted State of Origin representatives Darius Boyd, Michael Jennings, Jarrod Mullen and Mitchell Pearce.

The signing of Brown comes on top of the recent signings of former Brisbane and Bradford winger Tame Tupou and Penrith centre Geoff Daniela.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP