Tuesday 3 May 2016 17:43, UK
Newcastle Falcons have announced Canada lock Evan Olmstead will be joining their squad for the next season.
The second-row forward grew up in Australia, after moving there aged three, but plays internationally for his home country, Canada.
The 6ft 5in player has been capped seven times for Canada and took part in last year's World Cup.
He has previously played Shute Shield rugby for Parramatta Two Blues, Sydney, and Canadian club rugby with the Prairie Wolf Pack in Calgary.
The 25-year-old is already familiar with the English club game having moved to Falcons from Greene King IPA Championship side London Scottish, where he has played six games since January this year.
Speaking about his recent move to Newcastle, Olmstead said: "I am really looking forward to joining the Falcons for pre-season. The move represents an exciting opportunity to play with and against some of the top players in world rugby.
"I will be working hard to ensure that I make a significant contribution to the team as I look to learn as much as possible from the experienced coaching staff at the club in order to take my game to the next level."
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards added: "Evan is a typically hard Canadian player who brings a real no-nonsense edge to his play."
"He will fit in well with the type of game we are trying to implement and we are delighted to have been able to secure his signing."
Newcastle have already signed seven players for next season: Vereniki Goneva (Leicester), Sam Egerton (England Sevens), Sam Lockwood (Jersey), Joel Hodgson (Yorkshire Carnegie), Harrison Orr (Ealing) and Ben Sowrey (Worcester).
