DUHAN van der Merwe has rejoined Edinburgh on a long-term deal after the company holding his and the other Worcester Warriors players’ contracts was wound up.
The capital club announced the signing of the 27-year-old - who left in the summer of 2021 after four highly successful seasons - at 5pm via Twitter. "Burgh fans, he's coming home," the tweet read. "Scotland star and British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe has rejoined the club on a long-term deal. Welcome back to the capital, Duhi!"
Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair first said several weeks ago that he was interested in bringing Van der Merwe back after it became clear that Worcester were in severe financial difficulties. Since then, the English club has been suspended from all competitions by the RFU and gone into administration. Yesterday’s winding-up of WRFC Players Ltd, the subsidiary company which held the players' contracts, meant those players were free to move on.
“I’d like to thank the Worcester fans and staff for all their support during this difficult period - it’s something I’ll never forget,” Van der Merwe said. “Edinburgh is home and it’s a club I have a special connection with. Many of the players and staff are like family to me and I’m hugely excited to return and get started once again.
“I’ve kept tabs on the club and it’s clearly in a really positive place. It’ll be special to make my ‘second debut’ for the team – running out at the new stadium in front of the Edinburgh supporters will be an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to get started.”
Blair said: “We’re really pleased to see Duhan back in Edinburgh colours and for supporters to watch him competing for a spot on the wing week in, week out at DAM Health Stadium is very exciting indeed.”
Scotland prop Rory Sutherland has also been linked with a return to Edinburgh from Worcester, but that is now off the cards. Glasgow have also been reported to have an interest in signing the 28-year-old, but they could face stiff competition from the likes of Bath, Ulster and Lyon.
Scotland international prop Murray McCallum, who joined Worcester at the start of this year after five years with Edinburgh and a short-term deal with Glasgow, is also now looking for a new club. “This is the darkest day for English rugby,” Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond said yesterday after WRFC Players Ltd was wound up.
