The 51-year-old former Papua New Guinea international, who's also currently the assistant to Australia coach Mal Meninga, will take up his new role straight away, aiming to mastermind an immediate return to the top division in English rugby league.

Lam, who was voted Super League coach of the Year for 2020, left the Warriors at the end of the 2021 season and was expected to return to Australia.

Leigh's new head of rugby Chris Chester, who played with Lam at Wigan, said: "Adrian's signing is a real signal of intent by the club.

"He's an ex-Super League coach of the year and the current Australia assistant coach. He was a fantastic international player and he's coached at the highest level, both here and overseas.

"Now Adrian has been appointed, we can sit down and assess the current playing squad and look at areas where we need to strengthen, so that when the season starts at the end of January, we can hit the ground running.

"Adrian's signing is massive for the club and a real coup for us."

Lam said: "I am really looking forward to the challenge and am excited to be involved.

"The target is for us to get promoted back into Super League. It's a different level for me but I have the same expectations as I would have with a Super League club in that I want the club to do well."

Australian Associated Press