Thursday 16 February 2017 11:14, UK
Cardiff Blues have confirmed the signing of second row Damian Welch ahead of the 2017/18 season.
Welch has spent the last five seasons with Exeter Chiefs, making 67 appearances.
The 34-year-old began his career in Wales and worked with Blues head coach Danny Wilson at Cardiff RFC before moving on to join to join the Scarlets in 2009.
Speaking about his move, Welch said: "I'm really looking forward to going back to a club which pretty much started my professional career.
"I lived in Cardiff for 12 years previously, through university and rugby - it's a city I love and a place where I have a lot of strong ties and family. It will always be the place where I fell in love with rugby.
"It's great to be heading back and Danny [Wilson] had a big bearing. He was my coach at Cardiff RFC so I'm really excited about working with him again.
"Cardiff Blues are building an exciting and ambitious squad and I'm looking forward to getting back across the bridge to play my part in that."
Welch becomes the Blues' second signing of the week following the addition of centre Jack Roberts from Leicester Tigers.
The veteran forward, who stands at 6ft 6ins and weighs 18st 13lbs, will give Cardiff another option in the second row alongside fellow new signing South African Franco van der Merwe, who is joining from Ulster.
Head coach Wilson said: "We're delighted to bring Damian on board for the 2017-18 season.
"He is a very athletic second row and a good lineout forward who has gained valuable experienced in the Aviva Premiership since leaving Wales.
"We have identified the second-row as an area we needed to bolster and following the signing of Franco van der Merwe, we feel we have done that."
