Former New Zealand Under-20 captain Simon Hickey joins Edinburgh

New Zealander Simon Hickey is currently playing in the French top flight

Edinburgh have signed former New Zealand Under-20 captain and fly-half Simon Hickey on a two-year deal.

The 23-year-old will join Richard Cockerill's men from Bordeaux-Begles at the end of the season.

"After meeting Richard Cockerill and seeing the club's results, I had no hesitation about joining," Hickey said.

Edinburgh have also added Yorkshire Carnegie's tight-head prop Elliot Millar-Mills to provide cover for the remainder of the campaign.

The duo's capture follows the re-signing of Scotland forwards Stuart McInally and Ben Toolis, with Scotland captain John Barclay also joining Edinburgh from Scarlets at the end of the season.

South African fly-half/full-back Jaco van der Walt linked up with Cockerill's side this week after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Hickey, a product of Auckland's King's College, skippered his country at Under-20 level during the 2014 Junior World Championship, in which New Zealand finished third.

At the tournament, he took on soon-to-be Edinburgh team-mates Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Lewis Carmichael, Cameron Fenton and Damien Hoyland during the Baby Blacks' victory over Scotland.

Hickey's Super Rugby debut came for the Blues in February 2014, going on to make 16 appearances and score 124 points for the franchise.

The pivot joined Top-14 side Bordeaux-Begles in October 2015, contributing 235 points in 28 appearances so far.

"I'm really excited about the prospect of playing for the club, especially as they're looking to play an exciting brand of rugby which will suit my style of play," Hickey added.

"Edinburgh is a team on the rise, and I have no doubt that they're headed in a successful direction under Richard Cockerill and the rest of the coaching staff.

"I look forward to linking up with my future team-mates next season, settling into what is a wonderful city and hopefully playing a part in the club's future success."

Hickey is set to compete with Scotland international Duncan Weir and Welshman Jason Tovey, as well as van der Walt, for the number 10 jersey at Myreside.

"Simon is a creative young playmaker that already has a lot of experience playing in Super Rugby and the Top 14," Cockerill said.

"We're developing some real competition at 10 and I believe he will be a strong addition to an exciting Edinburgh backline.

"I'm delighted that having seen the culture and environment we're building here at Edinburgh, he's chosen to join the club for the next two years."

Meanwhile, 25-year-old prop Millar-Mills will provide cover at tight-head for the remainder of the season.

The brother of Scotland Women's international Bridget and England Women's cap Harriet, Millar-Mills qualifies to play for Scotland through his mother Elspeth, who is from Hamilton.

He flew out to join the Edinburgh squad in Bloemfontein this week, where they are preparing for Friday's Pro14 clash with the Cheetahs.