Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce will join Connacht next summer ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Joyce, 28, is excited about moving to the province having frequently visited the Sportsground and the area in general - his grandparents were born in Clonbur, in county Galway.
He previously featured for Ireland in the 2014 under-20 Six Nations campaign.
The second row, who has played over 150 times for Bristol, will represent the club for the 11th and final season before moving to the westerners.
Joyce, who has won the European Challenge Cup with Pat Lam's outfit as well as helping the club to achieve promotion to the Premiership in 2018, was last season named as Bristol's forward of the season, team man of the season and supporters’ Player of the Season.
He was also shortlisted for the Gallagher Community Player of the Season award.
"After many years representing my hometown club I’m very excited about the opportunity to represent my Irish roots and my family name," said Joyce.
"I’ve been to the west of Ireland and The Sportsground on many occasions to visit family and as a supporter, and I can’t wait to make an impact on and off the field in the province as a Connacht player and make my family proud.
"I’m very excited about the future of Connacht Rugby and can’t wait to be a part of it."
Connacht head coach Andy Friend commented: "We are thrilled Joe has chosen to join the club for the start of the 2023/24 season.
"Whilst we know his arrival is still 12 months away, we are already excited by the prospect of what he will bring to Connacht Rugby and his signing represents a key addition to the squad we are looking to build.
"Joe is a big physical lock, with excellent athletic and footballing ability and so he is a great fit for how we want play.
"Off the pitch Joe is also the type of player who understands the importance of community and I have no doubt he will make a positive impact in that area, something we as a club place a significant value on."
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