Roberts signs for Harlequins

Editor

Harlequins have completed the signing of Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts from Racing-Métro from next season.

The move had been rumoured for a while, and Quins have now confirmed that Roberts will join former Wales team-mate Adam Jones in joining the Premiership side.

"The whole club is ecstatic to have signed a player of Jamie's quality. He is massively ambitious to achieve at both club and international level," said Harlequins Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea.

"As a role model to all of our players, he will be someone we can all learn from. “We know we won't see Jamie in the Harlequins jersey for a while yet, but when we do I know he will be a massive contributor to the history of this club, the development of our team and the development of young players like Joe Marchant and Harry Sloan."

28-year-old Roberts will arrive from Top 14 side Racing Metro; a club he joined in 2013 after six years with Cardiff Blues. He has been on two Lions tours, scoring a crucial try in the series win over Australia in 2013, while he was part of the Welsh team that reached the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.

"I’m delighted to have signed for Harlequins. Having played in Cardiff and in Paris, moving to London is a chance for me to experience and further develop my career in a different league," said Roberts. 

"My desire to compete and win at both club and International level remains as strong as ever and the brand of rugby Harlequins play will challenge my skill set and no doubt help me improve as a rugby player.

"You look at the calibre of the Harlequins squad and the coaching set up; they are a team that are going to be competing at the top level year in year out and that was a huge factor in my decision to sign.

"I'm also delighted and feel very privileged to have been accepted to study a Masters degree (MPhil) in Medical Science (surgery) at Cambridge University and look forward to furthering my education part-time alongside my professional playing career. That balance in my life has served me well in the past and I'm excited to start this new chapter in London."