Saracens have announced the signing of Janco Venter from Jersey Reds.
The 25-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Championship side, just like new recruit Alec Clarey and was part of the club’s highest ever finish (fourth) in the 2018/19 season.
Venter arrives with international pedigree having represented Namibia 28 times, including appearances at the last two Rugby World Cups in 2015 and 2019.
The former Stellenbosch University and Western Province forward can play anywhere across the back row and can’t wait for the next stage of his development as a Saracen.
“This is a little bit of a dream come true,” said Venter. “When I first came over to the U.K. a couple of years ago it was always with the dream and the ambition to play in a Premiership side and Saracens were at the top of the list.
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“I can’t explain to you how excited I am to have the opportunity to keep developing myself. I think there’s no better place to be than Saracens to do that.
“The way everything is set up they want the player to be the best he can be and having played for Namibia, having had a taste for that higher level and being able to embrace your talents, I think I’m looking forward to that the most.”
Full list of rebels set to exit Leicester Tigers
Potential leavers:
Manu Tuilagi: The England centre is thought to earn around £500,000 a year as one of the best paid Premiership players. The Anglo-Samoan centre was the subject of a lucrative offer from French side Racing 92 early last year before deciding to stay.
Telusa Veainu: The New Zealand-born star has become a firm favourite with the Tigers faithful since joining the club from the Melbourne Rebels in October 2018. The Rugby Paper has reported that clubs in Japan and France are enquiring about him and offers have been made.
Jordan Taufua: The explosive back-rower has already became a popular figure among supporters despite only arriving for the 2019-20 campaign. The 28-year-old has been linked with the revolution at cash-rich second-tier French team Beziers, who have been taken over by a consortium from the UAE..
Greg Bateman: The prop believes the decision to reduce the salary cap has “shafted” the entire spectrum of Premiership players and will stunt the progress and popularity of rugby in England. Unlike Genge, he's reportedly stuck to his guns.
Kyle Eastmond: The centre has long been linked with a move back to rugby league.
Noel Reid: The Ireland international agreed a move to Leicester Tigers from Leinster for the start of the 2019/20 season. If he does depart, he will likely head back across the Irish sea.
