Bristol Bears have signed English scrum half Tom Whiteley from Saracens ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the club.
Whiteley has made 49 appearances for former Premiership champions Saracens, scoring 91 points.
During his time at the club he captained Saracens Storm, the club's second team, to the 2018/19 Premiership Rugby Shield title as well as well the Premiership Rugby Cup final in the same season and has played for the highly successful outfit in the Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup.
Bristol director of Rugby Pat Lam said: “Competition and quality depth right across all positions is crucial for our continued growth.
"Tom has the hunger and ambition to compete with the scrum halves we have here already.
"His skillset and talent certainly complement the way we like to play the game."
“To add another young, talented scrum half to our squad is exciting and Tom will ensure that we keep raising the bar and standard in all positions as we strive to be world class in everything we do.”
Whiteley caught the eye during his time at Millfield School, playing alongside Callum Sheedy, where he was awarded Player of the Tournament for the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools 7s in 2014.
Whiteley added: “I'm excited by the opportunity at Bristol Bears.
"Everybody can see the direction the club is heading and the ambition that Pat Lam and the team are showing in their game.
“You feel a fantastic wave of energy simply when you walk into the new Bears high Performance Centre.
"I'm looking forward to continuing my development as a player and realising my full potential in that environment.”
Saracerns director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “We would like to thank Tom for his hard work and dedication to Saracens during his six years at the club.
“He has been a great person to have around and we wish him all the best for the future.”
