Super League leaders Wigan have signed Australian prop Ben Cross following his release from Leeds.

The reigning champions beat last Friday's signing deadline to register the 32-year-old and announced the move after receiving a visa for him.

Cross, who played under Wigan coach Michael Maguire when he was on the staff at Canberra and Melbourne is likely to make his first appearance for the club's second team this weekend.

"Ben is a good addition to our squad and will add extra competition for places," said Maguire, who will coach NRL team South Sydney in 2012.

"He is a great character and a player I know well from my time in the NRL. He is looking forward to another chance to play in the Super League."

Cross joined Leeds from the Newcastle Knights and made his Super League debut in the Rhinos' opening game of the season at the Millennium Stadium in February but has since been restricted to nine substitutes appearances, the last of them in April.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am really looking forward to working with Michael Maguire again," said Cross.

"It is a huge honour to be joining the current champions."

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