The 22-year-old back-row (pictured) is the final signing for 2009 and while Matterson admits he would have liked one more senior player on board, the opportunity to capture ex-Bradford pack man Ferres was just too good to miss.
"He's just perfect for what we were looking for. He's young, has games under his belt, is an England international and a Cas boy," said the Tigers boss.
"And he gives us plenty of depth in the back-row, which was an area I wanted to be more mobile this season.
"I'm pleased with the squad, it's probably a number short than I wanted originally but the quality more than makes up for that. We were looking at two more fringe players but the availability of Brett was an opportunity not to be missed. He has the potential to get back into the England squad and is an investment for the future."
"We're now looking forward with real optimism. Brett adds to a batch of exciting young players in the squad who have plenty of top-flight experience and with very bright futures ahead of them."
England international Ferres, who spent two seasons with Bradford before an unhappy year at Belle Vue, said: "I'm very happy to be joining Cas, it's my home-town team and the club I watched as a youngster. This is a good opportunity for me, a new start and I'm really looking forward to the new season.
"I know quite a few of the players and played alongside Craig Huby and Michael Shenton as a junior. The squad that Terry has put together has a lot of new faces and some really good players who came through last year, and I feel that we can have a very good season."
The arrival of ex-Smawthorne junior Ferres from Wakefield on a three-year deal, allied to the promotion of Ben Gledhill, John Davies and Jordan Thompson, means Cas will run with a 29-strong squad for 2009. And the club still has a Federated spot on the quota, following Michael Korkidas' exit.
Prop Gledhill, utility back Thompson and back-row Davies trained with the first-team for the first time on Monday.
Gledhill, who toured Australia with the England Academy side earlier this year, played as a junior for Westgate Redoubt and Shaw Cross, Thompson and Davies joined Cas from Normanton and Lock Lane respectively. All three have progressed through Castleford's Academy system.
Said Matterson: "A number of those promoted from our Academy are still young but when you look at the rapid progress made by the likes of Richard Owen and Joe Westerman, now established Super League players, it illustrates how quickly talented young players can develop.
"We have also brought in some really good experienced pro's who will help them in their development. Michael Shenton and Westerman only narrowly missed out on selection for this year's England World Cup squad but I would like to think that realistically we will have upwards of half a dozen players in line for selection when the competition comes around again in four year's time."
Meanwhile, the date of Rangi Chase's arrival at Castleford Tigers has been thrown into further doubt by his court appearance following a fight outside a Gold Coast bar.
The former Junior Kiwi was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm at a magistrates court near Surfers Paradise and bailed to reappear on January 23, less than a month before the start of the engage Super League season.
Chase, who has signed a two-year deal with Cas, is still awaiting clearance from Australian immigration to join the Tigers and it is not yet clear whether this latest development will further delay his arrival.
Castleford media manager David Smart said: "It's a developing situation in Australia and we're still awaiting the outcome."
Chase was arrested outside a beachside bar, according to Australian media reports.
Police allege he was involved in a fight and punched a 23-year-old man, who needed treatment for a broken jaw. There is speculation former Wests Tigers and St George Dragons' ace Chase took the law into his own hands after the wife of one his friends was glassed.
Tigers head coach Terry Matterson said: "I've looked into it, I've spoken to him, his lawyer and his manager and I'm confident in what I've heard that Rangi was not in the wrong. I don't think he was in a situation where he could turn the other cheek."
Admission to Castleford's Boxing Day friendly with Doncaster Dragons (kick-off 11.30am) is £10 adults, £5 concessions. Stand transfer is £2.