Gateshead Thunder have signed former North Sydney Bears full-back Mitchell Stevens for the upcoming 2011 Championship One season.

Stevens was released by the Bears prior to a hearing which found him guilty of biting an opponent's ear during a NSW Cup defeat by Balmain-Ryde in August.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to represent this club," Stevens told the Gateshead club website.

"I'm looking forward to getting in there and giving 150 percent."

Stevens added: "I feel I have something significant to offer."

The Australian-American citizen becomes Thunder's sole import signing of the pre-season, and will offer an option in the three-quarter and full-back positions.

Mitchell has played at an extremely high standard and has shown a lot of commitment in signing for us Thunder director of rugby Chris Hood

"This is a huge signing for the club to attract a player of Mitchell's calibre," said director of rugby Chris Hood. "There are not many players of his ability in this league.

"Mitchell has played at an extremely high standard and has shown a lot of commitment in signing for us, which he must be commended for.

"It has taken a while to agree terms but I must say that it has been a pleasure dealing with Mitchell, his father Brett and agent Paul Sutton, all who have worked as hard as myself to make sure that the deal has gone through."

North Sydney Bears play in the New South Wales rugby league section, and are a feeder club of National Rugby League side South Sydney Rabbitohs.

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