New Love Island boy Keanan Brand is a professional rugby player

He plays in the Betfred Super League

Author: Alex RossPublished 24th Feb 2023
Last updated 24th Feb 2023

Amidst all of the drama off the back of Movie Night, Love Island bosses aren't stopping there, revealing not one, but TWO brand new bombshells who are set to enter the villa for the final few weeks of the Winter series.

Following fallouts between the likes of Samie Elishi and Tom Clare, Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad, and Jessie Wynter and Will Young, bosses teased on Thursday (23rd February) night's show the arrival of both Keanan Brand and Rosie Seabrook.

Who is Keanan Brand on Love Island?

Following in the footsteps of last year's Islander Jacques O'Neill, Keanan Brand is a professional rugby player who plays as a centre for Betfred Super League team Leigh Leopards.

After making 34 appearances for Widnes Vikings, Keenan went on to sign for Warrington Wolves, before making the decision to switch to Leigh Leopards, in which he scored 14 tries in 36 games during the team's 2021 Championship-winning campaign.

Just three weeks ago, Keanan posted the below promotional photo to his Instagram page, writing: '2023 leopards', but he's currently injured.

Although Keanan is from Wigan, the 24-year-old is of Irish heritage, representing Rugby League Ireland.

And it sounds like he's set to use his Irish charm to find love in the villa, admitting he's got his eye on Samie and Jessie.

He told bosses: "Samie is my number one, if I could draw my perfect girl based on looks it would be her. I think she’s looking for someone that is cheeky and confident, and that’s me! May the best man win.

"Jessie is also up there, I know she’s with Will but I think me and her will get on well."

Admitting he won't have any issues stepping on toes, Keanan said: "It seems like everyone is stepping on each other's toes so I’m going to do the same! I’ve got my eye on Samie but Tom is obviously a big handsome lad - but in my opinion he doesn’t really get past the looks.

"I’m going in there to find a girl - that's my number one priority."

Follow this year's Love Island stars on Instagram:

Tanya Manhenga

Age: 22
Occupation: Student (biomedical science) and influencer
From: Liverpool


Instagram: talkswithtt_

Kai Fagan

Age: 24
Occupation: Science and PE teacher
From: Manchester


Instagram: kaifagan_

Lana Jenkins

Age: 25
Occupation: Makeup Artist
From: Luton


Instagram: lanajenkinss

Ron Hall

Age: 25
Occupation: Financial advisor
From: Essex


Instagram: ronhall__

Anna-May Robey

Age: 20
Occupation: Payroll administrator
From: Swansea


Instagram: annamayrobey

Will Young

Age: 23
Occupation: Farmer
From: Buckinghamshire


Instagram: farmer_will

Tanyel Revan

Age: 26
Occupation: Hair stylist
From: North London


Instagram: tanyelrevan

Shaq Muhammad

Age: 24
Occupation: Airport security officer
From: London


Instagram: shaq24s

Olivia Hawkins

Age: 27
Occupation: Ring girl and actress
From: Brighton


Instagram: livhawkinss

Haris Namani

Age: 21
Occupation: TV salesman
From: Doncaster


Instagram: haris_namanii

Tom Clare

Age: 23
Occupation: Semi-pro footballer
From: Barnsley


Instagram: tomclare

Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown

Age: 25
Occupation: Model and Property developer
From: London


Instagram: itszaradeniz

David Salako

Age: 24
Occupation: Mortgage advisor
From: Essex


Instagram: davidsxalako

Aaron Waters

Age: 25
Occupation: Model and Content creator (Appeared on Love Island Australia series 3)
From: Melbourne


Instagram: aaronmwaters

Jessie Wynter

Age: 26
Occupation: Personal Trainer and Influencer (Appeared on Love Island Australia series 2)
From: Tasmania


Instagram: jessiereneewynter

Spencer Wilks

Age: 24
Occupation: E-Commerce Business Owner
From: Bournemouth


Instagram: spennywilks

Ellie Spence

Age: 25
Occupation: Business Development Executive at a law firm
From: Norwich


Instagram: elliespennie

Samie Elishi

Age: 22
Occupation: Senior estate agent coordinator
From: London


Instagram: samieelishi

Casey O’Gorman

Age: 26
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
From: Tring


Instagram: caseyogorman

Jordan Odofin

Age: 28
Occupation: Senior HR Advisor
From: London


Instagram: N/A

Claudia Fogarty

Age: 28
Occupation: Fashion Boutique Owner
From: Blackburn


Instagram: claudiafogarty

Frankie Davey

Age: 22
Occupation: Pro Boxer
From: Ipswich


Instagram: frankie_davey

Bayley Mummery

Age: 25
Occupation: Operations manager
From: Surrey


Instagram: bayley_mummery

Maxwell Samuda

Age: 23
Occupation: Finance student and Restaurant host
From: London


Instagram: maxwells16_

Kain Reed

Age: 21
Occupation: Energy consultant
From: Gateshead
Instagram: kain.reed

Ryan Weekley

Age: 22
Occupation: Steel erector
From: Nottingham


Instagram: ryanweekley1

Martin Akinola

Age: 27
Occupation: Senior software engineer
From: Dublin


Instagram: N/A

Sanam Harrinanan

Age: 24
Occupation: Social worker
From: Bedford


Instagram: sanamiee

Lynda Flix

Age: 22
Occupation: Healthcare assistant and Singer
From: Manchester


Instagram: lyndaflix

Layla Al-Momani

Age: 28
Occupation: Brand managing director
From: South West London


Instagram: laylaalmomani

Sammy James

Age: 27
Occupation: Beauty buyer
From: Leicester, lives in Dubai


Instagram: sammymayjames

Cynthia Otseh-Taiwo

Age: 25
Occupation: Dental receptionist and Baker
From: North London


Instagram: N/A

Lydia Karakyriakou

Age: 22
Occupation: Retail customer assistant
From: Glasgow


Instagram: lydiakarax

Keanan Brand

Age: 24
Occupation: Professional rugby player
From: Wigan
Instagram: keabrand

Rosie Seabrook

Age: 24
Occupation: Industry placement advisor
From: Buckinghamshire
Instagram: rosieseabrook

Keanan will enter the villa on Friday 24th February's episode, alongside new girl Rosie Seabrook.

Love Island airs every night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

Now read:

Love Island fans fume at Tanya for 'embarrassing' Martin

Gemma Owen and Bugzy Malone speak out over relationship rumours

Love Island's Andrew surprises Tasha with adorable sign language tattoo

How to listen to Forth 1:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.