Monday 23 November 2015 12:59, UK
Bath have announced that Wales international lock Luke Charteris will join the club ahead of next season.
The 32-year-old, who has been capped 62 times, revealed last week he had decided to leave French club Racing 92 when his two-year contract expires at the end of the current Top 14 campaign.
And he has now expressed his excitement after being given the chance to play Premiership rugby by Bath.
"It is such an ambitious club, and that's a great atmosphere to be joining," said Charteris, who spent nine seasons with Newport Gwent Dragons before moving to France with Perpignan in 2012.
"They put a lot of emphasis on player development, making sure that everyone is improving no matter how experienced they are, and that is a very exciting environment to be part of.
"There is some incredible talent in the squad and I'm really looking forward to heading over and getting started."
Charteris, who played in all five of Wales' matches at the World Cup, was also offered a deal by Cardiff Blues but he opted for a return to Bath, where his family have a house and he studied at university.
Bath head coach Mike Ford said: "Luke has been one of Wales's standout locks in recent years, and had a very good Rugby World Cup.
"He's a superb athlete at the set-piece and in the loose, has strong leadership qualities and a lot of experience that he can bring to the squad.
"We're delighted to have one of the best locks in the world join us, and he will help us keep improving and move quickly on to that next level."
