Monday 22 December 2014 21:57, UK
Bath have signed Fijian scrum-half Nikola Matawalu for the 2015/16 season.
The 25-year-old makes the move to The Rec from Glasgow Warriors, where he has scored 22 tries in 59 appearances.
Matawalu has played 21 times for Fiji, in full internationals and the Sevens sides, and is keen to compete in the English top flight.
"I'm really happy to be joining Bath next season. They are a very ambitious club with a very talented squad and coaching team,” Matawalu told the club’s official website.
"I'm looking forward to getting settled in and testing myself in the Aviva Premiership and top flight of Europe, but for the remainder of the season my focus will be with Glasgow.
"The club (Glasgow) and Scottish Rugby made me a very good offer, which made it a difficult decision to leave, but I was ready for a new challenge."
Mike Ford, head coach of Bath, believes Matawalu will be a positive acquisition for the club.
I'm really happy to be joining Bath next season. They are a very ambitious club with a very talented squad and coaching team.
"Niko is an incredibly talented and exciting young player, and we're eager to see his skill-set worked into our attacking style of play," he said.
"He's a great character, and we know he'll fit in really well at the club.”
Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend paid tribute to Matawalu, who joined the Warriors in 2012 and won the club's player of the season award a year later.
"Niko took to the professional game straight away and has worked hard to improve his game," said Townsend.
"He is well-liked by our players, coaches and especially our supporters, and we've loved having him at the club.
"When he moves on at the end of the season we'll wish him well in the next stage of his career, but there is still a lot of rugby to be played before then.
"He has always given 100 per cent for the club, and I know he will continue to do so until the end of the season."
