O'Connor among six signings made by Leicester Tigers

James O'Connor had a season with Crusaders after leaving the Queensland Reds

Former Australia international James O'Connor is one of six players signed by Leicester Tigers.

The 34-year-old joins the beaten Premiership finalists along with winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb, hooker John Stewart, versatile back-five forward James Thompson and fly-halves Billy Searle and Orlando Bailey

Former Wallaby O'Connor, who earned the last of his 64 caps for Australia in 2022, moves to Mattioli Woods Welford Road as a versatile back capable of also playing at number 10 for a side that has lost two-time World Cup winning South African fly-half Handre Pollard.

The Australian has previously played in the Premiership with London Irish and Sale Sharks, and will move back to England after helping New Zealand side Crusaders to the Super Rugby title.

"I feel like it's a full circle moment," O'Connor told the club website.

"I've been honing my craft for the last six years as a fly-half and have picked up a lot of new knowledge, not only in Australia but also this year with the Crusaders."

"So, now I'm at a place where I want to test myself, step up and deliver on the big stage. I've played for two teams in the Premiership, but I never felt I played my best footy, due to injury, life choices and just where I was at as a man. So, this move is to rectify this."

On a busy day of additions, O'Connor comes in as one of three options at fly-half, with Bailey leaving Premiership winners Bath for the side they beat in the decider.

The 23-year-old did not feature in the final, but played 20 times for the Somerset side to help them get to Twickenham.

Like O'Connor, former Wasps and Worcester Warriors stand-off Searle returns to the English top flight after spending the last two seasons in France.

The 29-year-old joined Top 14 side Toulouse at the start of 2023-24 on World Cup cover before having spells in the second tier with Biarritz and Agen.

Searle has made 70 Premiership appearances in total across stints with Wasps, Worcester and Bath, who he joined on a short-term basis in October 2022 following Warriors' financial collapse.

Meanwhile, Wales-qualified Hamer-Webb, who has previously played for England at Under-20 level, returns to the Premiership after spending much of the past two seasons in the United Rugby Championship with Cardiff.

The 24-year-old started his career with Bath and last featured in England's top flight with Northampton in the 2023-24 season, with his short stint there sandwiched between two separate spells in the Welsh capital.

Like Hamer-Webb, front-rower Stewart, 23, is a former England Under-20 international who came through with Bath, where he made 14 senior appearances.

New Zealander Thompson, 25, who has had spells with Blues and Chiefs in Super Rugby, moves to Mattioli Woods Welford Road from National Provincial Championship side Counties Manukau.