League: Wigan winger an exciting recruit: Roosters

Joe Burgess. Photo / Getty Images

The name may be familiar but the Sydney Roosters believe NRL fans will have seen nothing quite like exciting recruit Joe Burgess.

No relation to South Sydney's title-winning siblings, the 20-year-old Wigan winger has been tipped to create the same buzz as the other Burgess boys when he arrives in 2016.

Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan reckoned Burgess' three-year deal was such big news that they did well to keep a lid on it considering it was finalised six months ago but not officially released until Friday.

"He will be 22 when he comes out, it's the right age - he will be a perfect fit. He is clearly the most outstanding back in England. It's a real coup to have him here for three years."

At 19, Burgess scored 23 tries in his first full English Super League season, including Wigan's only four-pointer in their grand final loss to St Helens in October.

He earned a Four Nations nod and turned 20 on the flight over but was a non-playing squad member.

O'Sullivan could not wait for NRL fans to see what Burgess could do in the tricolours.

"I went over to England and watched him play - I have very high hopes for him.

"He will toughen up as he gets older but his speed, presence, athleticism and try scoring ability is already top shelf."

O'Sullivan said an NRL switch was not a hard sell after Burgess scored against the Roosters in the 2014 World Club Challenge clash in Sydney.

"He had such a good time at Coogee during the World Club Challenge, the place sold itself," he said.

Burgess will be the latest high-profile Super League player to make the NRL switch.

Canberra will this season welcome Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson after he featured in England's Four Nations squad that boasted another seven NRL-based players.

- AAP