Wednesday 27 April 2016 18:00, UK
The RFL have announced Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack will join the Kingstone Press League 1 from 2017.
In addition to competing in the UK's third tier competition, Toronto have also been invited to participate in the historic Ladbrokes Challenge Cup in 2017, which celebrates its 120th anniversary next season.
The RFL are hoping the historic move can help develop their brand and the sport across North America.
"It is with great pleasure that I can confirm Toronto Wolfpack's entry into Kingstone Press League League next season," said RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.
"We have worked closely with the Canadian club's officials and investors in the last few years and have no doubts that Toronto Wolfpack will enhance a competition which has already established a reputation for welcoming new clubs.
"Rugby League has always had a pioneering philosophy throughout its history and this initiative offers further evidence of the sport's wide appeal and readiness to embrace innovation.
"We are looking forward to working with Toronto Wolfpack, who will join us with the unanimous support of our member clubs."
Toronto Wolfpack will play home and away fixtures in four or five-match 'blocks', staying in residential accommodation while in the UK and flying out other teams at their expense for home matches at Lamport Stadium in the Liberty Village area of downtown Toronto.
Visiting teams to Lamport Stadium, which is known as 'The Den', will fly out on a Thursday, play on Saturday and return to Europe on Sunday.
Toronto have already recruited a backroom and administrative team with a rich Rugby League pedigree which includes Brian Noble, Paul Rowley and Adam Fogerty, the former St Helens and Halifax player who has been appointed as Chief Executive.
The people behind the scenes, the owners, the financial backers and certainly the CEO Eric Perez have moved mountains in 18 months and it was just an opportunity I didn't want to miss.
Noble, the former Bradford Bulls and Great Britain coach, has joined the club as Director of Rugby with ex-Leigh Centurions coach Rowley as head coach.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Noble said he took little persuading to grab an opportunity 'too good to miss'.
He said: "I had a chance meeting with Adam Fogarty and he told me there was a big project going ahead in Canada and asked me if I was interested?
"A couple of big breakfasts later and i was signed up. The people behind the scenes, the owners, the financial backers and certainly the CEO Eric Perez have moved mountains in 18 months and it was just an opportunity I didn't want to miss."
The Wolfpack will commence an ambitious player recruitment campaign over the summer months when their drive to sign talent from sports clubs across North America will be the subject of a reality television series called Last Tackle.
