NEWCASTLE Falcons have signed South African second row Adriaan Fondse, the Aviva Premiership club have announced.

The 28-year-old, who joins countrymen Greg Goosen, Ashley Wells and Corne Uys at Kingston Park, is a former South Africa Under-21 international and has made over 30 Super Rugby appearances for Stormers.

Fondse, who is due to arrive in England on Monday, said: "I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing for the Falcons.

"The Falcons are an ambitious club that wants to go places and I am really pleased to have the opportunity to move to Newcastle.

"I definitely want to be involved in something big at the club."

Newcastle head coach Alan Tait added: "He is a great player who is really well respected in South Africa and weve sealed another top notch second row - he is a tremendous athlete.

"It now gives us more options in there and it will obviously increase competition. I'm sure the boys will be happy when they find out that he is joining the club."

Newcastle are currently bottom of the Aviva Premiership table with seven points from eight games, five points adrift of Worcester and Leicester, the two teams immediately above them.