Newcastle Red Bulls will add forward Max Hicks to their squad for next season after he agreed a move from French Top 14 side Perpignan.
The 26-year-old lock will sign a two-year contract at the end of the current campaign.
Hicks began his career in New Zealand’s National Provincial Competition with Tasman before spending two years in Super Rugby with the Highlanders.
Capped by the Maori All Blacks, he is in his second season with Perpignan who are currently second from bottom in the French top flight.
“Max is very well thought of at Perpignan and brings a fabulous skillset,” Newcastle’s sporting general manager Neil McIlroy told the club’s website., external
“He can operate in a number of roles across the back five of the forward pack, and he has been playing to a high level for a number of years now.”
The addition of Hicks takes Newcastle’s total of new signings for next season to 12 after the capture of Exeter Chiefs centre Will Rigg was announced on Tuesday.
Other signings for the Red Bulls include Fiji winger Joji Nasova, Gloucester lock Cam Jordan and Sale Sharks scrum-half Raffi Quirke.
