Glasgow Warriors have agreed a deal to bring Otago lock Rob Verbakel to the club.
Otago lock relishing move to Scotland
Glasgow Warriors have agreed a deal to bring Otago lock Rob Verbakel to the club.
The 24-year-old, who holds a Dutch passport, is now free to head to Firhill after completing his commitments in the ITM Cup.
And Warriors head coach Sean Lineen believes Verbakel's arrival can have a big impact on the club's pack.
Lineen told the club's official site: "I'm very pleased to have Rob signed up, both because he's a player who will bring a number of very positive aspects to the group and because of the timing.
"We're delighted to have given so many players to the Scotland squad, but it's also good to have a bit more depth in our squad and I'm looking forward to seeing Rob challenge the likes of Tom Ryder, Rob Harley, James Eddie and Nick Campbell for a place in the second row.
"He's a powerful kind of lock, whose basics in the set-piece are very strong and who likes to carry the ball. I'm very confident he will be an asset to the group in what is a vital stage of our season."
Verbakel, who previously played for Canterbury in the ITM Cup, is relishing the chance to develop his skills in the Scotland.
He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to be coming to a side who play in two of the best club competitions in the northern hemisphere, the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup.
"I was thrilled to get the call, and it wasn't something I needed to think particularly long about. I know I'll be arriving with the season already underway, but I feel like I'll be showing up battle-hardened after my involvement with Otago and my aim will be to hit the ground running with the Warriors."
