Wasps have signed New Zealand fly-half Jimmy Gopperth from Irish province Leinster, the English Premiership club announced on Wednesday.
Gopperth, 31, joined Leinster in 2013 after four years with Newcastle, during which time he was the Premiership’s top points scorer on two occasions.
The former Blues and Hurricanes number 10 will move to Wasps in time for the 2015-16 season.
“We are delighted to have signed Jimmy Gopperth for next season,” said Wasps rugby director Dai Young. “Jimmy’s consistency of performance at the highest level is really impressive.
“He is one of the most accurate kickers in northern hemisphere rugby, and we also expect him to develop a dangerous attacking partnership in our back-line over the next couple of seasons.”
Gopperth will succeed Wasps’ current fly-half, Andy Goode, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
But Young revealed that the 34-year-old former England international would be offered a coaching role at Adams Park.
“We would love to keep him involved with Wasps and have offered him a coaching role at the club,” Young said.
“Andy has already shown his coaching potential alongside our A team coaches, and we would like him to join the senior team.
“At the moment he is keeping his options open and considering a variety of offers elsewhere, which we fully understand.”