THE Dragons have signed Calvin Wellington from St Helens on a two-year deal with head coach Bernard Jackman declaring the Welsh speedster will bring “pace, power and footwork” to the back line.

The 21-year-old is returning to the 15-a-side code after being snapped up by the Super League giants in 2016 after catching the eye with Aberavon Quins along with now Wales international Regan Grace.

Wellington, a centre or winger, played league for Wales at age-grade level as well as South Wales Scorpions before heading to the North West.

He made a solitary appearance for the Saints – as a centre against Huddersfield at the Magic Weekend in Newcastle in 2016 – and, after scoring 10 tries in 11 games for the reserves, went on loan to Sheffield Eagles in the Championship last season.

The Dragons have paid a transfer fee to buy Wellington out of his St Helens contract.

Jackman said: “We want to build a team around young men that are hungry enough to work hard to help us be successful on and off the field.

“I have some friends in rugby league whose opinion I trust and they tipped me off as to Calvin’s ability. The qualities he brings are pace, power and footwork.

“Every time I met him his desire to come back to Wales and try and make a name for himself in rugby union was infectious.

“So I felt it was worthwhile to negotiate his release from St Helens so that we can get him into our environment immediately and get him upskilled into the technical and tactical areas that are so important in our game.

“All our coaches are looking forward to working with him.”

Wellington arrived at Saints with Grace, one of Super League's hottest properties, but after missing the World Cup because of a hamstring injury has decided to return home.

Saints chief executive Mike Rush said: “Calvin has been a popular member of the club since he initially joined our academy and we are sad to see him leave.

“Calvin had agreed to stay with the club in 2018 but the lure back to rugby union and his home was too strong. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Wellington will aim to make his Dragons bow in the Anglo-Welsh Cup with a clash at Northampton next Saturday followed by a home encounter with the Scarlets the following Friday.

The Rodney Parade region are currently without injured three-quarters Tyler Morgan, Sam Beard, Adam Hughes, Zane Kirchner, Carl Meyer and on-loan Thretton Palamo while Hallam Amos is on Wales duty for the autumn internationals.