Leicester Tigers can confirm the signing of Charlie Atkinson on a long-term deal from Wasps.
Born in Oxford, the 21-ear-old was educated at Abingdon School and enjoyed a decorated age-grade career with appearances for England at Under-18 and Under-20 level while a member of the Wasps Academy.
Atkinson was a team-mate of Jack van Poortvliet’s in the England Under-20 squad which completed a grand slam in the 2021 Six Nations.
Ahead of the 2021/22 season, Atkinson was promoted to the Wasps first team squad after having already appeared in Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup and Heineken Champions Cup fixtures for the club.
The fly-half, who also plays full-back and is a capable goal-kicker, was included in England’s training squad in Jersey last week ahead of the national side’s 2022 Autumn Test matches.
Speaking about the addition of Atkinson, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Steve Borthwick said: “Charlie is an excellent young player who, at only 21 years of age, has gathered a lot experience in senior rugby.”
“It is exciting to be welcoming someone of his calibre and character to the club, adding to the young group of players who have committed to Leicester Tigers recently.
“We are confident he is the type of player who will fit in well with our squad and has experience alongside some of his new club mates already with England at various levels.
Transfer Round-Up: Biggar and George near exits as Willis finds new club
RUCK RUGBY takes a look at all the latest transfer stories with their rugby Transfer Round-Up
Rugby Transfer Round-Up:
Dan Biggar closes in on Toulon
The Wales fly-half is close to confirm his exit from Northampton Saints when he has recovered from a knee injury to join French club Toulon.
McDonald Joins Munster On Short-Term Deal
From Scotland, the 27-year-old was playing with Wasps earlier this season after making the move from Glasgow Warriors where he had been playing since 2017.
Danny Care signs new deal
The Harlequins scrum-half is set to sign one-year extension to stay at Twickenham Stoop, according to The Rugby Paper.
The playmaker has already taken steps towards a new career after dumping his long-term advisors Esportif to sign up with entertainment specialists Insanity Group, who already represent Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley and former Spandau Ballet frontman Martin Kemp.
Exeter signs Wasps hooker Dan Frost
Taunton-born Frost – who has previously represented Exeter in the A League – is one of several players who have been signed up by clubs across Europe in the wake of Wasps going into administration earlier this month.
Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, said: “We’ve known Dan for some time, having watched him play initially at Taunton and then down at the Cornish Pirates, where he was linking up with a few of our guys who were on dual-reg down there.
“He did very well at both those clubs, especially the Pirates, and it was off that form that he picked up his move to Wasps. At the time, it didn’t quite work for us to bring him into the club, but we’ve watched him closely ever since.”