Rodney Ah You to move from Connacht to neighbours Ulster

Ulster Rugby has announced the signing of Ireland international tighthead prop, Rodney Ah You, ahead of the 2016/17 season.

The 27-year-old will finish the current campaign with Connacht Rugby, before moving to Kingspan Stadium this summer.

BREAKING NEWS: @IrishRugby prop Rodney Ah You to join Ulster Rugby in the summer pic.twitter.com/px30hmCK0h

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 18, 2016

Ah You is a product of Christchurch Boys' High School and was capped at U19 and U20 level by New Zealand. He played for Canterbury in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship before joining Connacht in 2010.

After qualifying to play for Ireland in October 2013 through residency, he made his international debut in June 2014, during the summer tour to Argentina and has earned three Irish caps.

"I'm really excited about the challenges that lie ahead with Ulster,” Ah You said about the move. "I feel that the environment at Ulster will allow me to reach my potential and help me to realise my ambitions in the game.

“I feel, at 27, that my best years are ahead of me and I want to push hard for more international recognition too. With the support of my family, I'm looking forward to making Belfast our new home.

"I want to thank Connacht massively for all the support they have given to me and my family over the past five years. It's a fantastic club that is currently competing really strongly in the PRO12 and Europe. I hope they continue to grow and wish them well for the future.”

Ulster's Director of Rugby, Les Kiss welcomed the signing.

"We are delighted that Rodney has decided to commit to Ulster as he will add real strength to our front row department,” Kiss said. “As a 27-year-old prop, there is still room for him to develop and as a coaching group we will endeavour to get the very best out of Rodney.”