England prop Phil Vickery has agreed to join Wasps on a three-year contract.
Gloucester prop Phil Vickery has agreed a shock move to join Wasps at the end of the season.
The England man put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal that will tie him to the London club until 2009.
News of Vickery's move comes less than a week after he announced his decision to quit Gloucester, in a career option that was believed to be due to persisting injury problems.
However, he will now ply his trade at the Causeway Stadium next season, bringing an end to his 11-year association with the Cherry-and-Whites.
Vickery was a key member of Sir Clive Woodward's World Cup-winning squad, and he will undoubtedly bring some priceless experience to the Wasps pack.
Commenting on one of the biggest signings of the season, Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan revealed his satisfaction at capturing one of the Premiership's most competitive front rows.
"I'm delighted to get such a quality player with the experience he has as a World Cup-winner and he will add a lot to our forward play - particularly our scrummaging," said the Wasps boss.
Despite being linked to several rumours of a career-ending back injury, Vickery has always maintained his need for a new challenge.
Indeed, upon announcing his decision to quit Kingsholm, the 30-year-old stated: "to maintain my level of hunger it is time to assess my options."
The challenge of representing arguably English rugby's top club has swayed Vickery's interest, and he admitted the appeal of Wasps was too strong.
"It's not a difficult decision when the interest is there; to me it's an obvious move and one I'm looking forward to," explained the prop to Sky Sports News.
"As far as moving to a club that has got ambition, you can't get any better than Wasps.
"It's very sad to leave, I've spent 11 years of my life at Gloucester, and they've been fantastic to me. It's a very special club - one which will stay with me for the rest of my life.
"I just want to go out and play like I know I can play. I think the Wasps style of play will suit me. I think I can offer a lot on the field and offer a lot off the field as well."
Club physio Roger Knibbs ruled out any possibility of a longterm back problem for Vickery, and he expects the England veteran to be fully fit come the start of next season.
Now the British and Irish Lions forward is solely focused on rebuilding his strength throughout the summer.
"I'm in the early stages of my rehabilitation programme, it's going very well, I've had medicals and scans and on the medical side of it they seem very happy with it," added Vickery.
"I'm just looking forward now to building through the off-season and preparing for the beginning of next season."
