Italy winger Leonardo Sarto to join Glasgow Warriors

Italy and Zebre winger Leonardo Sarto will join Pro12 rivals Glasgow Warriors on a two-year deal in the summer, pending a medical.

"Glasgow Warriors are a massive club and play a great style of rugby, " the 24-year-old told glasgowwarriors.org,

"I wanted to move to the UK as I know the standard of rugby is high and I want to improve my game. Joining a club like Glasgow Warriors will help me do that.

"I've always known Glasgow is a great club and I know Simone Favaro is enjoying it there.

"I hear the fans love him and I hope I will have a similarly good relationship with them when I move over."

Sarto has been capped 26 times for Italy and scored on his international debut, against Scotland in the South African Quadrangular Tournament, in June 2013.

Sarto has started all three of Italy's RBS 6 Nations games against France, England and Scotland in this season's tournament, and was an ever-present in the Azzuri's Rugby World Cup campaign last year, starting all four pool matches and grabbing a try in the win over Romania.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "Leonardo has been one of the best wingers in the GUINNESS PRO12 over the past few seasons and has an ability to break tackles.

"He has also performed well at Test level and had an excellent all-round game against Scotland last month.

"He is somebody we've been tracking for a while and we're delighted that he has committed to us from next season.

"We believe that he will make further improvements in our environment and will add to the competition for places in our backline."