Wales under-20 international Joe Peard will join Cardiff Rugby ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The promising lock, who stands at 6ft 8in and tips the scales at 19st 8lbs, joins the Blue and Blacks after progressing through the Dragons’ academy.
A physical presence around the field, Peard featured for Wales under-20 in this year’s Six Nations Championship.
He will join a lock division at Cardiff Arms Park that includes the likes of Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull, Matthew Screech, Teddy Williams and Rory Thornton.
Peard, who featured alongside the likes of Jacob Beetham, Efan Daniel and Alex Mann in age grade rugby, is the son of former Newbridge lock, Mike, while his grandfather Les was an international referee
Ahead of his move to the capital, the 20 year old said: “I’m really excited to join Cardiff and believe it is the best place for me to continue my development and become the best player I can be.
“There are a lot of good second-rows at the club and I’m looking forward to learning from them, competing with them in training and hopefully kicking on.
“I know some of the coaches well and I’ve had a lot of good conversations with Dai about the direction he is taking the club and what he believes I can bring.
“Clearly my size and physicality is an attribute but I am eager to develop my whole game and contribute as much as I can to Cardiff.”
Peard will arrive at the club ready for pre-season and is the club’s fifth signing.
Director of rugby, Dai Young added: “We’re really pleased to bring Joe on board next season and are looking forward to helping him fulfil his potential.
“At 6ft 8in and almost 20 stone, he brings something we don’t have a lot of in Wales and that’s size. You simply cannot coach that.
“He brings a physical and destructive presence and that is something we need more of. He’s like an old fashioned, tight second-row, who is also athletic and he will now work with our coaches and new teammates to bring on his entire game and fulfil his potential."