Izaia Perese: Leicester Tigers sign Australia international back on 'multi-year' deal
- Published
Izaia Perese won the first of his three Australia caps in 2022
Leicester Tigers have signed Australia international Izaia Perese for the 2024-25 season on an undisclosed-length deal from Sydney-based Waratahs.
The 26-year-old former rugby league winger was converted to centre after joining Waratahs from Bayonne in 2021.
Brisbane-born Perese played for Queensland Reds and Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League before moving to France to join Bayonne.
He was in Eddie Jones' Wallabies squad for the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup.
"He's a player that gets you out of your seat," said Tigers general manager Richard Wilks. "We set out to add a player with pace and power and we certainly feel we've done that."
"My family and I are very excited to move to the UK and join Leicester Tigers," added Perese, who has signed a a "multi-year" deal. "I am looking forward to embracing Leicester's rugby culture."
After winning the Premiership under Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield in 2022, then ending up third last season, Leicester lie sixth in this term's 10-team table - 11 points behind leaders Northampton.