Harlequins raid a Premiership rival to sign their third international player this week

Harlequins’ post-Six Nations spending spree continued on Tuesday morning with their latest announcement that they have recruited a powerful ball-carrying Italian international for next season’s English Premiership.

The London club began the week by revealing on Monday that they had captured the signatures of an Argentina pair for the 2019/20 season, scrum-half Martin Landajo and loosehead Santiago Garcia Botta.

They have now followed up these completed deals by announcing that Azzurri centre Michele Campagnaro, who can also cover wing, will be joining from Wasps.

The 26-year-old, a Premiership title winner with Exeter in May 2017, has just finished out another Six Nation campaign playing for Italy under the tutelage of former league-winning Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea. He has amassed 42 caps and scored nine Test level tries. 

“Joining Harlequins is a very exciting move for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Campagnaro, who will link up with his new club following a World Cup campaign in Japan where Italy are in a daunting pool featuring New Zealand and South Africa. 

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“I was very impressed with the winning culture that Paul Gustard has created at Harlequins and I know he is building a squad capable of winning a lot of trophies.”

Talking about his third signing of the week, Gustard explained: “I have watched Michele in recent years starring for club and country and I know he will be a great addition to our squad at Harlequins.

“We have an array of exciting talent at centre at the club and Michele will provide excellent competition for places as we look to progress and build on this season’s momentum.

“Michele is a seasoned international, a Premiership winner, who will add top level experience to our playing group. He is a fantastic talent, powerful through contact. He will give us even more of an attacking threat next season.”