Samoa international and former NRL centre Tim Lafai has joined Salford Red Devils to help the Super League side avert an early-season injury crisis.

The 30-year-old centre is joining on a one-year deal and will offset the absence of Harvey Livett and Kallum Watkins, who are set to miss the start of the 2022 campaign through injury.

Salford head coach Paul Rowley said: "As it stands, we would not be able to fill an established back line due to a few of our lads out through injury for the start of the season.

"Not only does Tim help to fill a gap, he will fill it with much-needed experience and quality and I'm really pleased to have him on board."

Lafai has almost 10 years of NRL experience, having played for Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawara.

He joined Parramatta in 2021 but played just four games before the New South Wales Cup was halted because of COVID.

He represented Samoa at two World Cups as well as featuring for his country in their historic Test match against Fiji in 2016 which marked the 30th anniversary of rugby league in Samoa.

Lafai said: "I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my career and I can't wait to get to work as soon as I arrive."