Connacht Rugby have secured the services of tighthead prop Nathan White for next season.
The 6'2, 118kg prop will join Connacht from Leinster at the end of this season on a three-year contract.
The former Waikato captain played 77 times for the 2011 ITM Cup finalists before moving to Leinster on a one-year deal last season.
To date he has 14 caps for Leinster including five in the Heineken Cup and will be brought into the Connacht team to strengthen the depth of the squad in the crucial tighthead position
Assistant Coach Dan McFarland is excited about the impact White will have at Connacht particularly in the scrum.
"Nathan is an exceptional scrummager and to have a player with his explosive power around the pitch opens up a huge number of opportunities for us.
“Nathan's a proven leader both on and off the pitch and I am looking forward to working with him here at Connacht."
His sentiments were echoed by team manager and fellow Kiwi Tim Allnutt who appreciates the depth White will add to the squad.
"To have someone of Nathan's calibre and work ethic joining the squad is a huge boost to the club. Ronan Loughney has been doing a superb job at tight-head this season and Nathan's signature will add an extra layer of depth to this vital position.
“With a three-year deal Nathan has shown he believes in what we are doing here and we will use his knowledge and experience to help bring through the next crop of props through our academy structures.”