SAINTS coach Ian Millward has hailed the capture of Australian test centre Jamie Lyon as the club's biggest signing since Mal Meninga.

The 22-year-old chunky three-quarter begins a two year contract at Knowsley Road next season and has been brought in to replace Martin Gleeson, who was recently sold to Warrington.

Lyon was a young achiever in the game becoming a full test international and representing Parramatta in the NRL Grand Final at the age of 19.

But he walked away from Parramatta and the game at the beginning of the 2004 season citing a dislike for living in Sydney.

He is currently playing for New South Wales country side Wee Waa - despite having a number of offers to return to the NRL.

Although some may view Lyon's signing as a gamble - it is certainly one that will get the fans talking following a month of uncertainty.

It will also put an end to the rumours - some circulated by sections of the media - that Saints were being turned into a selling club.

Beaming Saints chairman Eamonn McManus declared: "This signing is very good news for the club and the game.

"Our number one target has been Jamie since the departure of Martin Gleeson to Warrington. Ian Millward has done an exceptionally good job over the past two or three weeks in persuading Jamie to come here.

"And he is coming here with a very high degree of enthusiasm. We believe his link up with Darren Albert will provide a sensational partnership on the right hand side of the field next season - and the year after at an absolute minimum.

"We are delighted with the way things have panned out with an overall strengthening of the squad - and an overall strengthening of the finances in view of what has happened over the past few weeks. So rugby wise and commercially it is a good deal for all."

The signing appears to have lifted the gloom hanging in the air since the selling of Gleeson, which has coincided with a bad patch on the park.

Millward said: "It is a pretty exciting time for me and probably the biggest signing I have made at the club in the five years I have been here.

"This is a blue riband signing with regard to his age. He is the youngest guy to ever play for Australia, breaking Brad Fittler's record.

"It was not just us competing for his signature. I am sure if you ask Maurice Lindsay, he will tell you he was also one of Wigan's major targets - so that is a great compliment for the club

"For the fans and the current squad, this is a huge statement. It ends any further speculation about what the club is going to do with other players within our ranks.

"We are moving forward and this signifies that. It is St Helens' biggest signing since Mal Meninga - a player who had a huge impact here and is still part and parcel of folklore in this town.

"I expect Jamie to be the same when he eventually departs St Helens. He is a world class strike centre and can only improve."

Saints have paid an undisclosed fee to Parramatta Eels to allow Lyon's release from his contract.