WING Jordan Thomas has moved to Ebbw Vale from Pontypool to test himself in the Premiership while the Steelmen have also snapped up scrum-half Scott Gibson.
Thomas was a member of the Pooler squad that was hunting the Championship title and a return to the top flight before coronavirus led to the Welsh Rugby Union scrapping the season.
The 20-year-old speedster, who scored 23 tries in 51 outings for Pontypool, has opted to take the step up to the Premiership in 2020/21 with the Steelmen after three seasons in the Championship.
"My ambition has always been to play Premiership rugby and I was over the moon when Ebbw Vale came to me with the offer," said Thomas, who previously played for Talywain.
"I have worked with Greg in the past and he is a coach who I have looked up to and am looking forward to being coached by again. I look forward to the challenges ahead and playing in front of the Ebbw supporters."
Gibson will fight for the number 9 jersey with Matthew Flanagan, who is returning for a third season at Eugene Cross Park.
Flanagan, 24, established himself in the XV as Ebbw enjoyed a strong end to the campaign that had put them on the brink of safety when the season was cancelled because of coronavirus.
He will be pushed in 2020/21 by Gibson, who arrives from Brecon after previously playing in the Premiership for Llandovery, Neath and Cardiff.
The 27-year-old, who played in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and Celtic Cup for Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets in the Singha 7s.
"I'm delighted to have signed with Ebbw Vale and I am really looking to getting back into the swing of things and hope that the supporters enjoy my style of play," he said.
"It would be great to see us pushing for honours in the coming season and I am really looking forward to becoming part of the club."
Ebbw have announced that Dan Haymond, Mike Powell and Aaron Grabham have agreed to return next season.
Stalwart Haymond will enter a tenth campaign at the club – the versatile back is approaching 200 appearances and was a try scorer in the 2016 Premiership final triumph at Pontypridd.
His consistent displays when the team was struggling in the first half of last season earned the praise of head coach Greg Woods.
Powell joined the Steelmen from Bridgend in December after moving to the area and quickly made an impression out wide along with Grabham, who previously played for Llanelli, Aberavon, Neath and the Ravens.
The duo, who were pivotal in the thrilling home win against Pontypridd, will continue to provide Ebbw with a cutting edge out wide.
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