Cardiff have further strengthened their pack with the signing of Danny Southworth from Exeter Chiefs.
The Welsh-qualified loose-head prop arrives at the Arms Park after progressing through the ranks at Exeter, where he has made 25 first team appearances.
He admits it was a big decision to leave his home club but is relishing the opportunity to step into a new environment to take his game to next level.
He said: “It was a hard decision to leave Exeter, which is my hometown club and somewhere with boys I have played alongside my whole life.
“But this is a fantastic opportunity for me to play in a different league with new experiences and playing styles. I’m hoping to play a lot of games in the URC and Europe and bring my abilities to Cardiff.
“I have been impressed by the brand of rugby Cardiff play and the amount of players coming through so it is a really exciting opportunity for me to experience a new brand of rugby, new coaches, new teammates and a new city.
“After five-six years at Exeter, I feel this is the right time for a new challenge. I am excited to see how far I can go in a new environment.”
Standing at 6ft and weighing more than 18 stone, Southworth its a converted number-eight, who brings a sizeable presence to the front-row and will compete with the likes of Corey Domachowski and Rhys Barratt
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: “We’re really pleased to bring Danny to the club to further enhance our environment and competition at loose-head. He is Welsh qualified and has ambitions to play international rugby.
“He has come through a quality program down in Exeter and earned his place in their squad by performing as a young man in National One and the Championship, which says a lot about his motivation and hunger to succeed. He is a former number eight so can contribute around the field and his set piece, in particular his scrum, is excellent.
“He has featured a lot for Exeter this season and did very well coming on in the Champions Cup knockout stages and last 4 rounds of the Premiership. He will compete with the likes of Corey Domachowski and others for the number one jersey.”