Exeter Chiefs have announced the capture of 6'6" English qualified lock André Goedhals with immediate effect.
Goedhals, 22, had been lined up to join the Prem outfit ahead of next season, however - due to extensive injury problems - the Chiefs have managed to move up the timeline.
The South African has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Exeter from Currie Cup side Pumas and will join up with his new squad immediately.
Rob Baxter's side have reportedly used some of their injury dispensation budget to speed up the signing, as they look to plug some holes in their team.
Crucially, Goedhals was born in England, thus making him an EPQ Player, which will benefit the Chiefs with the criteria that is required to be hit throughout the campaign.
I’m really excited to be joining Exeter Chiefs. It’s a club with great history and ambition.
André Goedhals on his impending move to Sandy Park
Speaking on the move, Goedhals said: "The opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, continue developing as a player and be part of such a competitive team was something I couldn’t turn down and that I always wanted."
In a statement, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’ve moved quite quickly in the last week or so to bring André into the squad a little ahead of schedule."
"We were initially looking to bring him in next season but I have to say a big thank you to the Pumas for considering releasing him early to allow him to join us now."
“I feel he’s a player with an incredible future. He’s a talented young man at only 22 years old and having already played two years in the Currie Cup. You can see the pedigree he’s already got from that competition. He also has the ability to play both second-row and back-row."
“We’ve been looking for a little while to supplement our stock in the back five of the scrum with injuries to Andrea Zambonin and Lewis Pearson. Getting André in with us this week enables him to start his Chiefs career almost a year earlier than planned, which will both aid his development and give us greater depth as we move through the season."
“We’ll try to get him up and running as soon as we can, with the outside possibility of him being involved in the next few weeks, especially as we enter into the next stage of the Prem Rugby Cup.”
