Bath have announced the signing of centre Robbie Fruean from New Zealand side Canterbury Crusaders.
The 28-year-old will complete his switch to the Aviva Premiership outfit following the conclusion of the Mitre 10 Cup with Hawke's Bay in late October.
The move will see Fruean reunite with former Crusaders coaches Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson at the Rec.
"We are really excited that Robbie has agreed to join us here at Bath," Bath rugby director Blackadder said in a statement.
"Tabai and I know him very well from his time at the Crusaders, and he is the kind of player we know will fit right in with the squad we have here, both on and off the field."
Fruean added: "Whilst my focus for the time being is still on the Mitre 10 Cup with Hawke's Bay, I'm really looking forward to getting over to Bath and getting started.
"It will be a new challenge for me, the Aviva Premiership is such a tough league, but Bath have had a good start, and I know that being over there and competing in it will bring out the best in me."
Fruean was named the IRB world under-19 player of the year in 2007, but has since suffered from illness and injury.
Barney Corkhill
