Horne: Mustapha is 'type of player we want to build squad around'

Muizz Mustapha is the type of player Richard Horne wants to build his squad around as the Dons push for Super League rugby.

The prop has been named as the club’s first new signing ahead of the 2026 season and head coach Horne believes the 25-year-old’s arrival sets the standard for where the Dons want to go.

“We’ve really wanted to reduce the average age of the squad but it’s not just as simple as signing younger players - they have to be the right ones,” he said. “Muzz is that.

“He’s still young in his career at 25 but he comes with a lot of experience of Super League. The club has made no secret that’s where we want to go and he’ll be a big part in us getting there.

“We’ve been speaking to him for a while and it shows how much he believes in the project that he’s chosen to come to us.

“I look at him as having the profile of someone we want to build a group of players around as we look to push on over the next two or three years.

“He’s a great age and he’s got plenty of quality as well. This is a really good signing for us.”