Knights nab Las Vegas combine winner on $1200 a week

Newcastle's recruitment drive continues after signing Dylan Brown to a 10-year, $14 million deal this week.

Although, their latest recruit costs nowhere near as much yet still has the potential to generate some interest.

NRL combine winner Marcus D'Acre, 20, will arrive in the Hunter on league's cheapest deal, a $1200-a-week train-and-trial contract, half of which will be paid by the NRL and all of which will be salary-cap exempt.

EXCLUSIVE: Latrell's mum 'sick and tired' after latest Facebook post

READ MORE: Origin star cops surprise axing; Bennett makes big call

OPINION: $14m down the drain: Brown isn't what the Knights need

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, D'Acre, who had also received interest from the North Queensland Cowboys, said the Knights are confident they can turn him into an NRL player in the near future.

"Time is on my side. Newcastle is a great team and I think they can help me transform into a great player one day.

"Speaking to my agent, he mentioned it's a good club with a lot of rich history and the management sounded pretty adamant about my growth as an NRL player.

"It sounded like they were the most interested in developing me into what my full potential could be.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

"It's not going to be a one or two-year thing, it will take three or four years, and they sounded willing to work with me to grow. That's what I want as a rugby player, someone who will take the time to help me out and understand the sport."

D'Acre confirmed he will start in the outside backs and will arrive in Newcastle in May while completing an economics degree at Queen's University in Canada.

"I'm taking baby steps. Starting off on the wing and centres is a great place to start," said D'Acre, who has represented Canada and Hong Kong in rugby union at national level.

"Once I understand the patterns, shapes and various calls, I can see myself moving down in numbers depending on how times change and how I enjoy it.

"I think I have the potential to do some damage in rugby league," he added. "It's going to take some time. I've been watching it for so long and I'm lucky enough to have trained with the Sharks and been up close and personal with those boys.

"I can see what the level is like and it's some of the highest rugby I've seen in person. Given some time, you never know where an opportunity like this can take you."