Aberavon have signed Callum Carson, the centre recently released by the Ospreys.
The 23-year-old made the news for the wrong reasons in March after a video emerged on social media of the former Wales U20s player appearing to mock a homeless person.
Carson and Matthew Aubrey, the other player involved in the incident, were subsequently suspended with the Ospreys branding the behaviour shown in the video unacceptable. Both apologised, undertook voluntary work with a homeless charity and admitted they had let down their families.
Carson was released by the Ospreys earlier this month.
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But Aberavon have now added him to their roster with the club offering the Aberdare-born youngster a fresh start.
“He’s a young player who made a mistake and he’s owned up to it and said sorry,” said head coach Jason Hyatt.
“Everyone makes errors when they are young and Callum has paid a price for this one and learned a lesson.
“He just wants to move on now and concentrate on his rugby.”
Aberavon had to compete with a number of clubs in Wales and England for Carson’s signature. “There was a lot of interest in him from over the Bridge in England and other clubs in the (Welsh) Premiership have been trying to sign him as well,” said Hyatt.
“But he wanted to go to a club where he felt he’d be supported on and off the field.
“The circumstances were different, but Callum’s seen the positive effect Aberavon had on Jac Morgan after he left the Scarlets. Jac found his way back into professional rugby, and Callum is young enough and talented enough to have a bright career himself.
“He’s a very good player.”
