BATH have confirmed the signing of New Zealand-based back Robbie Fruean.

Fruean will link up with the Rec club after the conclusion of this year’s Mitre 10 Cup, in which he is competing with Hawkes Bay.

Adept at centre or wing, the 28-year-old has represented both the Hurricanes and the Chiefs in Super Rugby, as well earning more than 60 caps for the Crusaders and will now link up with former Crusaders chief Todd Blackadder, who is Bath's director of rugby.

In 2007, Fruean represented New Zealand in theU19 Rugby World Championship and was named the IRB World Under-19 Player of the Year.

Fruean said: “Whilst my focus for the time being is still on the Mitre 10 Cup with Hawkes Bay, I’m really looking forward to getting over to Bath and getting started.

"It will be a new challenge for me – the Aviva Premiership is such a tough league, but Bath have had a good start, and I know that being over there and competing in it will bring out the best in me.”

Blackadder said: “We are really excited that Robbie has agreed to join us here at Bath.

“Tabai (Matson, coach) and I know him very well from his time at the Crusaders, and he is the kind of player we know will fit right in with the squad we have here, both on and off the field.”