Versatile back Ioan Lloyd will leave Bristol Bears at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season and join Welsh region Scarlets to enhance his international opportunities with the Welsh national team.
The Academy graduate, who has built a sterling reputation for being able to create moments of magic out of nothing with his lightening quick feet, has made 77 appearances for the club since scoring on his debut against Bath in October 2019.
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Lloyd, still just 22, was handed his senior Wales dubut in the Autumn of 2020, coming off the bench against Georgia and then Italy, and those two cameo appearances have essentially put an end to his Bristol career.
Bears director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “With Ioan’s contract expiring in the summer and the 25-cap rule in place in Wales, he had to make a tough decision about his future.
“While we were keen for Ioan to stay, the move back to Wales to play club rugby protects his international ambitions and we as a club support him and want him to be successful. Since arriving with us from school and going on to achieve international honours and over 70 caps for Bears, we are all proud to have played our part in the development of Ioan as a player and the man he is today.”
Lloyd signed professional terms with the Bears in July 2019 and became the club’s youngest-ever player in the Premiership when, aged 18, he came on as a replacement against Bath in the opening game of the 2019/20 campaign.
Lloyd said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time at Bristol and I’m hugely thankful to the club for the opportunities they have given me. Pat and the club gave me my first opportunity in professional rugby, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.
“I’d like to thank all the coaches, players and staff I have worked with during my four years at the club. I’d also like to thank the incredible Bristol supporters, who continue to back the team through thick and thin.
“As a kid growing up, I always dreamed of representing Wales and I’ve been lucky enough to do so twice already. This taste of international rugby has left me hungry for more, so this opportunity to join a great club like Scarlets was one I was keen to take to fulfil my international ambitions.”
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel added: “Ioan is a high-quality player with a huge amount of talent, a ball player with the ability to break the line and take on defences. He is a player who we feel will fit well with the way we look to play here and we’re looking forward to welcoming him in the summer. He is a young man and we’re looking forward to seeing him grow in a Scarlets shirt.”
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