South Africa international Juan De Jongh joins Wasps
Dai Young has secured the services of Juan De Jongh
©PA
Wasps have confirmed the signing of South Africa international Juan De Jongh ahead of the next season.
The 29-year-old will join the Ricoh Arena outfit after the completion of his present commitment in Super Rugby where he represents Stormers.
De Jongh joined Stormers in 2010 and has made 94 appearances in which he has scored 75 points. He was also part of the Bronze medal winning South Africa Sevens team that competed in the Rio Olympics last year.
His international debut came in 2010 and he was also part of the 2011 World Cup team. After a break of four years, De Jongh was recalled for the 2016 Rugby Championship tournament.
"I can't wait to play for such an amazing club as Wasps in the Aviva Premiership and am relishing the ultimate challenge that lies ahead," said De Jongh.
"Wasps has an incredible pedigree and some phenomenal players, and working with everyone there is going to help me improve my game.
"From everything I've heard, Wasps sounds like a fantastic place and a perfect fit for any top end athlete to be. Having watched their last couple of games, I believe there is a lot to look forward to at the club.
"Hopefully I can add some experience and energy to an already well-established and talented side and hopefully we can start pushing towards European and Premiership success. I am 100 per cent focused on what I want to achieve on the field next season and can't wait to get started.
"For the next couple of months, I remain totally committed to the Stormers and to achieving our goals. It would be one of the highlights of my career if I could be part of a team that again reached the Super Rugby finals."
Wasps boss Dai Young is delighted to have strengthened his international contingent which was weakened by the departure of Kurtley Beale and Alapati Leiua.
"We are really pleased to have Juan coming on board next season," said Young. "He has a good eye for a gap and plenty of pace which makes him dangerous in attack, while he also has strong organisational skills in defence.
"Juan is a good friend of Ashley Johnson whose opinion we respect highly.
"We feel he will fit into the squad really well next season, after we've all dusted ourselves down from the Premiership final defeat and regrouped to prepare to go again for the 2017/18 campaign."
