Exeter Chiefs sign fly-half Will Hooley from Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs have signed fly-half Will Hooley from Aviva Premiership rivals Northampton Saints.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at Sandy Park and will provide top-quality competition for the No 10 role alongside Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade.

Cambridge-born Hooley has progressed to the Saints’ first-team squad after joining their Academy as a 12-year-old and has made 14 appearances to date, scoring 77 points.

Hooley, who is currently on loan with Championship side Moseley, said: "I'm really looking forward to the move. I see it as a massive opportunity for me to experience a new club, a new environment and to hopefully be part of something special down at the Chiefs.

"I obviously know quite a few of the young lads, guys like Sam Hill, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade, who I played with at England U20s level, and I've seen how they have progressed over the last few years and how they've all made the most of the chances they've been given.

"One of the things I guess that attracted me to Exeter was the fact that Rob Baxter and the coaches aren't afraid to give young players their chance. You can see that if they feel they are good enough to play, then they are old enough to play."

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: "Will is at the right age for us to bring into the squad at the moment and he has a lot of the qualities that we look for.

"He has also played some high-level first team rugby and within those games we thought he played very well. From his perspective, I think he is about ready for a new challenge and it ticks a lot of boxes. It is a good match-up for both us and for Will.”