Hooker Corbin Thunder has signed for Newcastle Falcons with immediate effect.
The former Wasps player, 19, joins until the end of next season and linked up with his new team-mates today.
Born and raised in South Africa, Thunder is English-qualified through both grandparents on his father’s side, who were born in the UK.
Following Wasps’ expulsion from the Premiership earlier this season he has been training with the Sharks in his home city of Durban, and has spoken of his enthusiasm at moving to Tyneside.
Thunder said: “This chance at Newcastle Falcons feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“After Wasps folding, with there being so many good players on the market I was starting to get a bit worried that my career in the UK was going to have to be put on hold. So to have received the news that Newcastle were going to sign me on was lovely.
“It’s a club with an exciting mix of experience and younger players, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder said: “Corbin is a talented young player who has had a brief taste of a Premiership environment at Wasps, and shows a lot of promise.
“He offers plenty in the way of ball-carrying and his work around the field, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to our squad.”
Determined to take his chance in the North East, Thunder said: “My rugby journey has been a bumpy road so far, but I always knew that God had a plan for me.
“I was grateful that my home town club the Sharks took me in and made me feel a part of the family there by allowing me to train with them, and I’m relishing this new opportunity.
“I’ve always lived by this quote, ‘if you going to sit at the dinner table, bring something to eat’.
“I’m hoping to bring everything I’ve got, and there’s an opportunity here for me that I won’t let go to waste.
“I’m a youngster who has nothing to lose and everything to learn, and I’m very keen to get straight into the thick of it.”