King will step into the shoes of powerhouse Mitch Davis as the Group 9 rugby league heavyweight shoots for a record fourth successive premiership.

The 22-year-old played for Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United last season and represented Group 20 and Riverina.

Thunder coach Ben Jeffery said King would be a huge addition in a new-look pack.

“Trent should be really good for us,” Jeffery said.

“He’s only 22 and is big and strong.

“Obviously we needed to pick up another forward with Mitch leaving and I think he’ll do well.”

King played for Kangaroos in the under-18 grand final at Lavington Oval in 2010 and played in Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United’s drought-breaking premiership last year.

Thunder has several other top-line recruits in the pipeline with officials optimistic about their chances of picking up Dubbo CYMS centre Alex Ronayne.

Ronayne played with King at Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United.

Top-liners Davis, Lou Goodwin, Jake Grace and Willie Heta are confirmed departures from last season’s grand final side which humiliated Southcity at Wagga’s Equex Centre.

Jeffery said he was excited about the season ahead with training to start at Greenfield Park at 6pm tonight.

“I think we can cover them fairly well,” Jeffery said.

“Trent is a great start and we are speaking to a few others.

“It’s only early but I think we are in reasonable shape.”