Exeter sign Australia centre Ikitau for 2024-25

Len Ikitau has been almost ever-present for Australia since his 2021 Test debut

Exeter have signed Australia centre Len Ikitau for the 2025-26 season from Super Rugby side ACT Brumbies.

Ikitau has been capped 39 times by the Wallabies since his debut in 2021, starting all but one of those Test matches.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Sandy Park since February, with Rob Baxter previously saying he is a player he would "love" to have at the club.

"My family considers us very lucky to get to have this experience abroad with a club that is so iconic and respected, not to mention a place that loves its rugby with passionate fans," Ikitau said.

"Speaking to Rob and hearing his plans for the club, and his willingness to work with Rugby Australia for my long-term development, made me confident the move was the right one.

"Rob and the coaching staff have challenged me to take the next step as an on-field leader to drive success for the club. We are very excited to start our UK adventure, and we're looking forward to meeting all the loyal fans."

Baxter said Ikitau was one of the "top centres" in world rugby.

"He's playing very well, he's very keen to experience something else," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's talked a lot with the Australians who have been here at Exeter, they've all said that if he gets over here and throws himself into it, then he'll have a great time, and that's very much what we want him to experience next season."

Ikitau is set to make the move to Devon over the summer following the conclusion of the Super Rugby season and the British and Irish Lions' series against Australia - where he will be likely to play for the Wallabies.

He also comes in to fill a gap in Exeter's midfield with Wales centre Joe Hawkins joining Scarlets when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Ikitau is the third Australian international to sign for the Chiefs for next season, following hooker Julian Heaven and back row Tom Hooper.

Baxter said he believed Ikitau could be a "special" player for the club.

"I'm very positive about the impact he can have, and our job is to create a team and an environment that lets all the individuals shine and what they're good at," Baxter said.

"And if we can do that with Len, we could see something very special."

Needed to 'move the team forward'

Following two campaigns where Exeter have languished near the bottom of the table, rather than challenging at the top, Baxter said Ikitau's arrival represents how the club is growing again.

He compared his arrival to that of scrum-half Nic White or former captain Dean Mumm in how they played a part in driving the team towards Premiership and European titles.

"To me this is part of us growing," Baxter said.

"They were there to drive us up the Premiership and make us competitive in Premiership top-end games, that's how I would view it [Ikitau's signing].

"In the future he could be a signing that, once we're playing the right end, it's an additional signing that drives you over the edge, right here and now I think it's something we just need to keep moving the team forward."