Welsh international Tom James has signed for the Scarlets on a two-year deal.
The 32-year-old winger parted company with Cardiff Blues by mutual agreement in May.
He was keen to stay in professional rugby and has now secured a contract down west after impressing with his fitness testing.
James took an extended break from the game in 2018 while he was .
But he returned to action last season, playing for Merthyr, Pontypridd and Cardiff in the Premiership, as well as having one outing for the Blues.
Now he is looking forward to the new challenge at the Scarlets, who he will link up with next week.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
“I am absolutely delighted to have secured this move with the Scarlets.
“At the end of last season, I felt I still had plenty to offer professional rugby, but the opportunity didn’t come at the Blues.
“I have worked hard in the off-season, feel in good shape and the hunger is there again after a tough couple of years.
“This is an exciting move for me, especially with the way the Scarlets play the game and hopefully I can also offer my experience to the younger players in the squad.
“I want to prove to people that Tom James is back.”
The former athlete was capped 12 times by Wales between 2007 and 2016.
He played 163 games for the Blues in two spells that spanned 11 seasons - scoring a record 60 tries - either side of two years with Exeter.
Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels said: “Tom is a high-quality acquisition for us.
“He has a huge amount of experience in professional rugby, holds the try-scoring record for the Blues and was in the Wales squad just a couple of years ago.
“As well as being a proven try-scorer, he will give us a powerful, physical presence coming off the wing.
“He came in for some fitness testing with us and was one of the top performers in the squad.
“With 14 players in Wales’ World Cup training squad it is going to test the depth of our squad more than any other, so to be able to bring in an international player as cover as well as someone who will be challenging for a starting spot when those players return is invaluable.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Tom to Parc y Scarlets next week.”
