The Hurricanes lock Michael Fatialofa will leave New Zealand rugby at the end of the Super Rugby season.
Michael Fatialofa in action during the Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and Lions at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Photo: PhotoSport
25 year old Fatialofa has signed a two year deal with England club Worcester Warriors.
"Michael is an absolutely outstanding player," said Warriors director of rugby Alan Solomons. "It's massive for the club to bring him here to Sixways."
"I'm very excited about making the move to England and testing myself in the northern hemisphere competitions," said Fatialofa, who has represented New Zealand Schools and played for the Barbarians in 2016.
"The Hurricanes are an amazing club and I'm 100 per cent committed to giving everything I have to them this season, before arriving at Worcester and starting a new challenge."
Fatialofa is Warriors' ninth signing for the 2018-19 season, with the club likely to still be in the Premiership.
Fatialofa burst onto the Super Rugby scene at the age of 23 as he played 15 games in his debut season for the Wellington-based Canes, helping them win the title.
Things started brightly for the big second row in the 2017 competition too as he ran in two tries in seven appearances before an knee injury ended his season, as the Canes went on to reach the Super Rugby semi-finals.
On the domestic stage, Fatialofa played 36 times for Southland in New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup between 2011 and 2014 before moving back home to Auckland in 2015, where he has since made 19 appearances.
The 6ft 5in forward has also represented New Zealand Schools and played for the Barbarians in their 31-31 draw with South Africa at Wembley in 2016.
