Nadolo to join Leicester ahead of 2020/21 season

Leicester Tigers have announced that Nemani Nadolo will join the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The Fiji international will swap Top14 side Montepellier for Welford Road this summer, as reported by RugbyPass last Friday.

The 6’4, 137kg Nadolo is believed to have signed a two-year deal with Geordan Murphy’s side, where he will look to help improve the Leicester Tigers’ fortunes after two frustration seasons in the Premiership.

Any move to take the Six Nations away from terrestrial television and behind a paywall could have a knock-on effect with tournament sponsors, explains @chrisjonespress https://t.co/JcXirZl85c

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

Nadolo has spent the last four years at Montpellier, where he has registered a stunning return of 53 tries in just 68 games.

The outside-back has also notched up 222 points in 29 Test appearances for Fiji since his international debut in 2010.

The versatile Nadolo can play at winger or in the midfield, and his signature represents a major coup for Leicester.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club,” Nadolo said.

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We will welcome Nemani Nadolo to the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.

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— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 2, 2020

“Tigers is everything I’m looking for in a club … family first and the vision they have moving forward is something I wanted to be a part of.

“I can’t wait to roll my sleeves up and rip in. It’s a great opportunity for me and my family to come set up shop in your town. Hopefully I earn the respect of the fans by doing my talking on the field.”

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said the addition of Nadolo was one that players, coaches and supporters could all “get excited” for.

“It’s certainly one to get excited about, no matter who you are,” said Murphy.

Reports in France claim another big name is headed for the exit at Allianz Park.https://t.co/Z3oUJ0lZzr

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

“He’s a star of the international game and a player that crowds all over the world have been able to enjoy see play.

“Now, the Tigers faithful get that chance and the playing squad, as well as coaching staff, get the opportunity to work alongside and with Nemani from next season.”

Nadolo will be the latest in a long of Fijians to represent the club, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Seru Rabeni, Vereniki Goneva, Seremaia Bai and more recently Campese Ma’afu, as well as World Rugby Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi.

Murphy, who played with all but Ma’afu for Tigers, is confident that Nadolo can leave a legacy like his fellow Fijians at Welford Road.

A statement from Sale read, "The club and Chris have reached a mutual agreement regarding the termination of his Sale Sharks contract and he will leave the club immediately." pic.twitter.com/qByGwDbFqk

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

“We have been blessed with some incredible Fijians at Tigers and I was fortunate enough to have featured alongside some of the very, very best as a player,” added Murphy.

“Nemani certainly possesses the traits of a player that Tigers fans look for and if we didn’t believe he could come here and do for us what we know he’s capable of, we wouldn’t have signed him.

“I don’t think it will be long before we are hearing ‘Nadolo’ chanted from the Terrace at Welford Road.”

Some big news from the England camp.https://t.co/SjBa9QKhAM

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

The 32-year-old’s signing comes on the back of recent announcement of new arrivals Zack Henry and Shalva Mamukashvili, as well as recommitments from international duo George Ford and Ellis Genge, as well as youngsters Tom Hardwick, George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson.

Prior to his move to Montpellier, Nadolo had stints with the Crusaders in New Zealand, Green Rockets in Japan, Exeter Chiefs, Bourgoin and the NSW Waratahs in Australia.

In a career spanning across two decades, Nadolo has registered more than 1,000 points in domestic and international rugby, including more than 150 professional tries.

Watch: Six Nations £300m paywall deal: ‘We would not rule anything out’.