Perth will use English rugby league to stockpile part of their inaugural NRL roster, with Luke Smith and Emarly Bitungane the latest players to link with the expansion club.
Fresh off announcing ex-Canterbury halfback Toby Sexton and English international Harry Newman as their maiden signings on Tuesday, the Bears confirmed players No.3 and No.4 for 2027 on Wednesday.
Smith played two games for Canterbury this year, while fellow forward Bitungane made headlines in August as a Tanzanian-born NRL debutant at North Queensland.
Both of the pair signed one-season deals with second-tier London Broncos last week, before officially being confirmed as Bears players on two-year NRL contracts on Wednesday.
It means none of the Bears' first four signings will play in the NRL next season, as the NRL's 18th club attempts to build a competitive 30-man roster.
"Emarly is a very strong and mobile middle forward who I think has the potential to develop into a very important piece in our roster," Bears coach Mal Meninga said.
"Luke is supremely fit and an excellent defender who offers us something in attack as well.
"He had an impressive junior career and I'm very excited to see what he can bring to the Bears in 2027.
"Both players have progressed through the ranks in good systems and I'm excited to watch their development next season with the London Broncos."
The pair's gap year in England comes with Sexton also spending 2026 at France-based Catalans, before the ex-Canterbury half returns to the NRL at Perth.
Smith will also play in the Super League at Leeds, where the incumbent English Test centre debuted in 2017.
The quartet's signings come after the Bears have had a difficult start to life in the player market, missing out on the likes of Harry Grant, Jayden Campbell and Beau Fermor.
The club remain hopeful of luring Tino Fa'asuamaleaui west, while they are understood to have made contact with Keaon Koloamatangi.
Melbourne utility Tyran Wishart is also expected to meet with the Bears, while Ryan Papenhuyzen could loom as a marquee option for 2027 if he returns to the NRL.
