Edinburgh have secured the signing of 26-year-old Scotland international Luke Hamilton on a one-year deal ahead of the upcoming 2018/2019 season.
The three-times capped back-row – who started at openside during Scotland’s recent Summer Test against the USA – will link up with the squad later in the summer following treatment of a shoulder injury sustained whilst on international duty.
🗣 | “A TEAM ON THE RISE”
Scotland back-row Luke Hamilton has signed a one-year-deal with Scotland’s capital club.
Full story 👉 https://t.co/uknBquZOjj#WelcomeLuke #AlwaysEdinburgh pic.twitter.com/ZolOlO9dmC
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) June 19, 2018
Hamilton made his international debut against New Zealand in last year’s Autumn Test Series and was named in Gregor Townsend’s 40-man squad for the 2018 Six Nations.
The 26-year-old previously worked under Edinburgh Head Coach Richard Cockerill at Leicester Tigers, where he made 51 appearances in two seasons at Welford Road before leaving at the end of last season.
On making the move to the capital, Hamilton said: “I’m really excited to join Edinburgh this season – they are definitely a team on the rise.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity to continue my development as a player and I can’t wait to meet up with my new teammates.”
Welcome to Edinburgh @lukehamilton6#WelcomeLuke #AlwaysEdinburgh pic.twitter.com/PKl5UjElDv
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) June 19, 2018
Head Coach, Cockerill, added: “We’re delighted that Luke has chosen to join Edinburgh and be part of the culture we’re building at this club.
“I obviously know Luke well from his time at Leicester. He’s a big, physical ball carrier who will add experience to what is an already talented back-row contingent, containing some exciting young players.
“He can play across the back-row and his dynamism adds another dimension to our attack. We’re looking forward to seeing how he develops in an international quality unit alongside the likes of Luke Crosbie, Bill Mata, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury.”
Born in Pembroke, Wales, Hamilton cut his teeth at Cardiff Blues, before helping Wales U20 to a third-place finish at the 2012 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
After four seasons at Arms Park – a period in which the back-row notched up three tries in 36 appearances – Hamilton joined then-PRO D2 side Agen for the start of the 2014/15 season.
A prominent ball-carrier, Hamilton helped the seven-time French Championship winners to promotion to the Top 14 in his first full season at Stade Armandie, before topping the tackling charts the following season as Agen suffered relegation.
Hamilton secured a move to the Tigers for the start of the 2016/17 season and made an immediate impact as he was nominated for both the Player of the Season and Best Newcomer at the supporters’ awards.
The back-row was one of Leicester’s most consistent performers last season and finished the 2017/18 campaign with three tries in 23 appearances, helping the Welford Road outfit to a fifth-place finish in the Aviva Premiership.