Socino talked Tyneside up to top centre

FORMER Newcastle Falcons forward Santiago Socino played a part in the club’s move to sign Argentina star Matias Orlando, it has been revealed.

The Kingston Park club have agreed an 18-month deal with the powerful 6ft centre, who will join the club later in the year ahead of their Premiership return.

Orlando has made 44 appearances for the Pumas, including at last year’s Rugby World Cup in July, and has featured prominently in Jaguares’ rise in Super Rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.

With the 28-year-old moving away from his homeland for the first time and the subject of interest for a number of clubs, Orlando talked with one former Falcon, currently playing for Jaguares, about the virtues of life on Tyneside.

“He’s spoken a lot with Santi [Santiago Socino], who has been great with him,” the player’s agent Tom Beattie said.

“The great thing about Newcastle Falcons fans is they welcome you in, as part of the family and that’s what he wants as a player, an environment which is sort of a home from home.

“That’s what Santi reinforced to him, that it’s a very welcoming club and a very welcoming city and that will make the transition that much easier.”

After suffering relegation from the Premiership last year, the Falcons romped to victory in the Championship, winning each of their 22 games in all competitions before their Championship season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, they are looking to strengthen in advance of their return to the top flight, with Orlando adding to the options at centre for Dean Richards’ men after Johnny Williams’ departure for Welsh club Scarlets earlier this week.

“Matias is really excited and he wants to help the team to climb the table on their Premiership return, which is ultimately his ambition,” said Beattie, the brother of former Falcon Ross Beattie.

“He believes he’s a Newcastlestyle player and he hopes the fans will see that from him in the black jersey. He’s got speed, power, a good work ethic and that flair element so I think he fits a Geordie team in many ways.”

He added: “The fans like to see exciting players but also players who will die for the shirt and he’s that kind of player.”