CONNACHT boss Pete Wilkins has described the signing of Santiago Cordero as a "real statement of intent".
The 45-times capped Argentina international has agreed a two-year deal with the westerners and will join in the summer.
Cordero, 29, is currently with Top 14 club Bordeaux Begles, where he has scored 29 tries in 67 appearances over four seasons.
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Previous to that the full-back and winger spent two years with Exeter Chiefs, scoring 10 tries in 33 games.
Wilkins commented: "Santiago’s arrival is a real statement of intent by the club and I’m absolutely thrilled he has chosen to progress his career with us.
"He is a genuine world class talent with a wealth of experience at the highest level, and being in the prime of his career he will no doubt make an immediate impact.
"Having got to know Santiago during the recruitment process, it’s also clear he is also a brilliant bloke who will bring energy and character to the club, both on and off the field.
"I know our supporters will be very excited by this news, and like them I look forward to seeing Santiago wearing the green of Connacht for the next two years."
For his part, Cordero is looking forward to a new experience in Galway having visited the Sportsground recently for talks.
"I’m very excited to be part of Connacht Rugby from next season. I can’t wait to move there and meet all the boys and people, and live the life of a Connacht player," he said.
"I visited Connacht recently for a few days, and I thought Galway was a beautiful place and I can’t wait to play my rugby there.
"I had a lot of good chats with Pete Wilkins, Tim Allnutt and Jack Carty, and they are sure I can play my best rugby in Connacht. It’s a great team and when picking my next club I was sure Connacht was the right one.
"Connacht love to play rugby the right way from everywhere on the pitch and they’re always in attack mode, and that’s what I like."
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