Italy international Matteo Minozzi to join Wasps next season

Wasps have confirmed the signing of Italy international Matteo Minozzi from Zebre for next season.

Minozzi made his professional rugby debut in 2015 with Calvisano before he joined Zebre in 2017. He has been sidelined with a knee injury for the most part of the 2018/19 season but is hoping to be fit in time to reclaim a place in Italy squad for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“Having spoken with friends of mine at Wasps, they couldn’t speak highly enough of the Club," he told the official website of Wasps.

“It was an easy decision for me and I can’t wait to test myself in the Premiership at a fantastic club with lots of history.”

The 22-year-old made his international debut for Italy during the November series in 2017 and in his first Six Nations tournament in 2018 he scored four tries in five games and was shortlisted for the player of the tournament.

Overall, he has featured in 10 Tests in which he started in seven games.

“Matteo has bags of promise and already at such a young age, he’s got plenty of international experience under his belt," said Wasps director of rugby Dai Young.

“He was tremendous at last year’s Six Nations with four tries in five games, and it’s a shame we’re not going to see him in the tournament this year.

“No doubt when he recovers he will be playing at the World Cup – and hopefully he’ll be able to give Wasps fans a taste of what they’ll be seeing at the Ricoh next season.”