Former Australia and Samoa international Reni Maitua has been given the all-clear to fly to England to take up his contract with Featherstone.

The Kingstone Press Championship club unveiled the signing of the 32-year-old former Canterbury Bulldogs forward on a two-year deal in December but his arrival has been held up by red tape.

Featherstone says his visa has now been approved and will arrive in time for Monday’s league game against Sheffield Eagles, although he is unlikely to play.

“I’m delighted everything has been approved and I’m buzzing about coming to the UK,” Maitua said on Wednesday.

“It’s been a long process and the last few days have been quite anxious but this is fantastic news.”

Maitua, whose tally of 174 NRL appearances include spells with Cronulla and Parramatta, played for Australia in the 2006 Tri Nations Series before switching his allegiance and representing Samoa in the 2013 World Cup as well as the 2014 Four Nations Series.