Wednesday 6 May 2015 14:58, UK
London Irish have signed Fiji international Asaeli Tikoirotuma from Harlequins for next season.
Tikoirotuma, who can play both at centre and on the wing, joined Quins at the start of the current season from the Chiefs where he was a key member of the squad that won two Super Rugby titles.
The 28-year-old started his career playing for Wanganui in New Zealand, where he spent five seasons, before moving on to Manawatu where he played in the ITM Cup.
Waikato Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, who was in charge at Manawatu at the time, brought Tikoirotuma to the Chiefs when he started coaching the franchise in 2012 and the Fijian went on to score 11 tries in 33 appearances.
He made his international debut for Fiji in November 2013 and has so far made nine appearances for the Pacific Island nation, scoring two tries.
London Irish operations director Bob Casey said: "Asaeli is a quality player and a real game breaker. He brings a lot of experience with him, in Super Rugby, the Premiership and at international level.
"Both Tom Coventry and Matt Symons have spoken very highly of him and we are all looking forward to him being part of the squad next season."
Tikoirotuma said: "I am really looking forward to starting at London Irish. Having spoken to the management it is clear that London Irish is a family club and they have core values that really resound with me.
"The club is also very ambitious and heading in an exciting direction. I have worked with Tom Coventry before and he is a great coach, I can't wait to work with him again at London Irish next season."
