The Samoan hitman, 31, weighed in at 19-and-a-half stone when he played for Wigan and Salford.
He was so heavy he could only manage short stints before being substituted.
However, the 6ft 2in hulk says a year in France, playing for Limoux, has whipped him into shape at a fighting-fit 17 stone.
He hopes Hull will reap the benefits, saying: “I’ve kept myself in condition and I’ll be doing my best to impress.
“This is a new start and one I couldn’t turn down. I’ve been training all summer to get myself in great condition.” The former New Zealand international, nicknamed Feka, has signed a two-year deal, much to the delight of coach Peter Gentle.
He said: “I have never seen him look fitter or more determined and he’s almost unrecognisable from the player we saw a few seasons ago in Super League.
“But he still has that physically intimidating presence. He is coming with a bit of a point to prove, which will make him eager to impress.” Paleaaesina will be keeping a close eye on his future team’s prospects in tonight’s do-or-die play-off game at Huddersfield. The Giants beat Hull twice this season on their way to winning the League Leaders’ Shield – but one Hull player has yet to face them.
And Huddersfield will need to be wary of a man who was hardly known in Hull, let alone Super League, at the start of the year.
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