Tuesday 14 April 2015 15:26, UK
Northampton have signed South African centre Pat Howard for the 2015-16 season.
The 23-year-old joins the Saints from the Stormers, though he has also had successful stints with the South African Super 15 side's feeder club, Western Province – where he won the Currie Cup - and Munster, where he played in both the Guinness PRO12 and European Rugby Champions Cup.
He returned home to Cape Town to join the Stormers squad ahead of the Super Rugby campaign, but will be heading north to join his new team-mates for next season's Aviva Premiership and Champions Cup campaigns.
Howard said he was looking forward to adding to his European playing experience.
“I really enjoyed my time in Europe earlier this year and was delighted when Saints showed interest in me,” Howard said.
“It is a great opportunity for me to be joining a fantastic club and continue to develop as a player.
“I have had a great time coming through the ranks at Western Province, but feel that now is the right time to experience something new overseas.”
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder said Howard would be a useful addition to the Saints squad.
“Pat is a young player who has shown plenty of promise in the Currie Cup, PRO12 and Champions Cup,” Mallinder said.
“We've been impressed by what we've seen, but believe that there is more to come from him and are looking forward to seeing Pat develop in our squad.”
