Newcastle Knights have signed Josh Thompson, the 110kg, 16-year-old cousin of Jarryd Hayne, a year after he was first spotted by Alex McKinnon and Knights list manager Troy Pezet.

McKinnon and Pezet met the nephew of Hayne’s father Manoa Thompson on the idyllic island 12 months ago, when working in talent identification and recruitment for the Knights.

Thompson, who is being earmarked for the front-row, is eligible for SG Ball next year and has signed a two-year scholarship-based deal with the Knights.