Harlequins have confirmed that the Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts will join the club after the Rugby World Cup as the 2012 Premiership champions continue their recruitment drive.
Roberts, 28, will arrive at The Stoop after two seasons in the Top 14 with Racing Métro, having secured early release from the Parisian side.
He joins his compatriot Adam Jones, the Scotland wing Tim Visser, the Australian second-row James Horwill and the Samoan centre Winston Stanley in agreeing to join Harlequins next season as Conor O’Shea looks to revitalise a side who endured a difficult season, finishing eighth – their lowest league position since 2010.
“The whole club is ecstatic to have signed a player of Jamie’s quality. He is massively ambitious to achieve at both club and international level,” said O’Shea. “As a role model to all of our players, he will be someone we can all learn from.
“We know we won’t see Jamie in the Harlequins jersey for a while yet but when we do I know he will be a massive contributor to the history of this club, the development of our team and the development of young players like Joe Marchant and Harry Sloan.”
Earlier this month, the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, confirmed that while he would prefer his players to be based with one of the four Welsh regions, Roberts, who has 72 international caps, would still be available for selection if he were to sign for Harlequins.
“I’m delighted to have signed for Harlequins,” said Roberts, who spent six years with Cardiff Blues before joining Racing. “Having played in Cardiff and in Paris, moving to London is a chance for me to experience and further develop my career in a different league. My desire to compete and win at both club and international level remains as strong as ever and the brand of rugby Harlequins play will challenge my skill set and no doubt help me improve as a rugby player.
“You look at the calibre of the Harlequins squad and the coaching setup; they are a team that are going to be competing at the top level year in year out and that was a huge factor in my decision to sign.”
Roberts, who qualified as doctor in 2013 – shortly before the Lions’ successful tour of Australia and his subsequent move to Racing – while also continue his studies at Cambridge University.
He added: “I’m also delighted and feel very privileged to have been accepted to study a Masters degree in medical science at Cambridge University and look forward to furthering my education part-time alongside my professional playing career. That balance in my life has served me well in the past and I’m excited to start this new chapter in London.”
