Lote Tuqiri, the Fiji-born former Australia wing, has signed for Leicester and will start training with the club this week, the English Premiership champions confirmed on Monday.

Tuqiri, 30, has played both league and union for Australia but has not been involved with the Wallabies since his central contract was cancelled in July over an alleged code of conduct breach.

Leicester coach Richard Cockerill said he was delighted to have signed a player of Tuqiri's "undoubted class."

He added: "Lote has had interest from a lot of clubs around Europe, and the fact that he chose to come here says a lot about him. We're very happy he has chosen Leicester Tigers.

"He has been very successful at the top levels of the game and I'm sure our supporters are looking forward to seeing him in a Tigers shirt.

"He is a world-class player and is still hungry to achieve things in the game.

"Now we're looking forward to getting him into training and competing for a place in the team."

Tuqiri, who switched from league to union in 2002 and has scored 31 tries in 67 Tests for Australia, said he was looking forward to getting down to work.

"This is a successful club, and that is one of the main reasons for coming here.

"The club is always in the frame to win things and I still think I have a lot to achieve in rugby. I still have the ambition to play at the highest level and I still have the competitive edge.

"This is a new challenge, coming to a new league in a new country, and it is one I am really looking forward to. There are a lot of good players here and now I'm just looking forward to getting started."

AFP

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