CONFIRMED: Fiji superstar Nadolo joins Leicester
TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers have announced that Nemani Nadolo will join the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.
The Fijian superstar center, who is a proven try-scorer and accomplished goal-kicker, has registered 222 points in 29 Test appearances for Fiji since his international debut in 2010 and is capable of playing at wing or centre.
Nadolo, considered one of the game’s best finishers, is currently with Montpellier in France’s Top 14 after impressive showings during stints in both the southern and northern hemispheres.
Prior to the move to France, Nadolo had spells with the Crusaders in New Zealand, Green Rockets in Japan, Exeter Chiefs, Bourgoin and the NSW Waratahs in Australia.
Not bad.
Not bad at all… 👍 pic.twitter.com/fdzoskOqxY
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 2, 2020
He has registered more than 1,000 points in domestic and international rugby, including more than 150 professional tries.
Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy admitted the addition of Nadolo to the Leicester squad was one that players, coaches and supporters could all “get excited” about ahead of his arrival in the summer.
“It’s certainly one to get excited about, no matter who you are,” said Murphy.
“He’s a star of the international game and a player that crowds all over the world have been able to enjoy.
“Now, the Tigers faithful get that chance and the squad, as well as coaching staff, get the opportunity to work alongside and with Nemani from next season.”
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Nadolo will follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Seru Rabeni, Vereniki Goneva, Seremaia Bai, Campese Ma’afu and World Rugby Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi in representing the Tigers.
Murphy, who played alongside all but Ma’afu for Tigers, said he believed Nadolo could leave a legacy like his fellow Fijians at Welford Road.
“We have been blessed with some incredible Fijians at Tigers and I was fortunate enough to have featured alongside some of the very, very best as a player,” added Murphy.
“Nemani certainly possesses the traits of a player that Tigers fans look for and if we didn’t believe he could come here and do for us what we know he’s capable of, we wouldn’t have signed him.
“I don’t think it will be long before we are hearing ‘Nadolo’ chanted from the Terrace at Welford Road.”
The 32-year-old’s signing comes after the recent announcement of signings Zack Henry and Shalva Mamukashvili, as well as recommitments from international duo George Ford and Ellis Genge alongside youngsters Tom Hardwick, George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson.
Speaking about the Tigers, Nadolo said: “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club.
“Tigers is everything I’m looking for in a club … family first and the vision they have moving forward is something I wanted to be a part of.”
Nadolo will link-up with his new Tigers teammates ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers confirmed Georgia international Shalva Mamukashvili will join the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.
The 29-year-old has made 73 Test appearances for The Lelos since 2011 and represented his home nation at both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.
