Newcastle have bolstered their flagging forward stocks with the signing of former Test prop Antonio Kaufusi through to the end of the 2012 NRL season.

Kaufusi will join the Knights next week despite having a contract with North Queensland through to the end of next season, his arrival finally giving coach Rick Stone some depth following the pre-season departure of Danny Wicks and Chris Houston.

Wicks and Houston both quit the club after being charged with drug-related offences.

"With the way our current playing roster sits, the addition of a player of Antonio's experience and ability is a massive boost to us here at the Knights," coach Rick Stone said.

"I've kept a close eye on him since he began playing in the Queensland Cup in the early 2000s, then through some very successful years at the Storm, and more recently with the Cowboys.

"Antonio fits the exact requirements of what we need at this point in time and we are excited about him joining us next week."

The signing of Kaufusi caps an impressive recruitment drive by the Knights who also announced the capture of reigning Toyota Cup player of the year Beau Henry and impressive Warriors rookie Siuatonga Likiliki, who joined Henry in last year's Toyota Cup team of the year.

Henry heads to Newcastle in search of a top grade berth having so far struggled to break into the top grade at St George Illawarra with Jamie Soward and Ben Hornby having a mortgage on the halves.

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