Ospreys sign Bristol Bears fullback Mat Protheroe

Ospreys have announced the signing of fullback Mat Protheroe from Gallagher Premiership club Bristol Bears ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Protheroe, who can also play at fly-half started his career with Hartpury before going to make his senior debut with Gloucester in 2015. He made his debut for the Cherry and Whites at the age of 18 in the Aviva Premiership A League and shifted to Bristol during the 2017/18 season of the Championship. He also represented England Under 18 team in 2015.

The 23-year-old will become the second new signing for Ospreys ahead of the next season after scrum-half Rhys Webb.

"I am a Swansea lad and I grew up watching the Ospreys," said Protheroe to the official website of the club.

"James Hook, Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Thomas, Filo Tiatia and Lee Byrne were the players I used to turn up at the Liberty to watch as a young boy.

"I grew up watching those players. Having the chance to follow in their footsteps is a big thing for me.

"It's just a really exciting challenge for me. I have never played in the Guinness Pro14, which is a new league for me, so it's just exciting for me and I am really looking forward to the challenge."