Leicester sign South African prop de Bruin

Leicester have bolstered their front row resources for the coming 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season, snapping up tighthead Luan de Bruin from the Cheetahs, the Bloemfontein club he has been with since a 2014 Super Rugby breakthrough. 

Now 27 and currently involved in the all-South African version of Super Rugby, de Bruin will arrive at Leicester with the ability to cover both sides of the scrum. 

An age-grade South African international, he played in the recent Springboks trial match but is now ready to embark on a new adventure in England. “It's a massive opportunity and a massive learning curve as well,” said de Bruin.

“You never stop learning and growing as a player, especially as a front rower. You’re never great and always must keep learning and adapting. The opportunity came to play in Leicester and it’s a fantastic, exciting opportunity to be part of a top club.

“I know they are not top of the log at the moment and in a rebuilding phase, looking to get back to the top.”

Tigers director Geordan Murphy added: “Luan is an experienced, versatile front rower who will provide us with valuable depth on both sides of the scrum. We are looking forward to welcoming him to Leicester ahead of the new season and strengthening the competition for places up front in the scrum with his addition to the Tigers squad.”

De Bruin joins fellow South African Jasper Wiese, Argentine internationals Matias Moroni and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, as well as England international Richard Wigglesworth as new additions to the Tigers squad for the 2020/21 season.

The prop will undertake a two-week quarantine period on arrival in the UK before joining the training programme in Leicester alongside his new teammates. The club have also confirmed that outside back David Williams will remain on loan at Leicester from Nottingham for the 2020/21 season.