TONGAN international flanker Jonny Tuamoheloa has signed for Worcester Warriors.

The 26-year-old open-side penned a one-year deal at Sixways after leaving newly-promoted National One side Newbury Blues.

He becomes Warriors ninth new acquisition of the summer following the likes of England Churchill Cup winner Andy Gomarsall, Mark Tucker and Nicholas Le Roux.

Director of rugby John Brain said: "We have monitored Jonny's progress last season for both Newbury and Tonga and feel that he has the desire and quality to acquit himself well at Premiership level. I know that he is looking forward to the challenge."

Newbury originally claimed they would demand a transfer fee to compensate for fans' favourite Tuamoheloa's alleged new two-year deal at the Berkshire outfit.

But Brain said that was never the case and the pull of Premiership rugby proved decisive.

"The player was out of contract. He had been offered a contract but he had not signed anything," Brain said. "It's a good signing for us and a big opportunity for him."

Tuamoheloa, who appears to have left Newbury on good terms, will provide much-needed cover for England's Churchill Cup-winning captain Pat Sanderson and offer Warriors more flexibility in their second season in the top flight.

Brain added: "He's a special open-side wing forward and really, if you look at it, the only one we have in our squad is Pat Sanderson and we felt we needed depth there.

"He's also quite a unique type of player in as much as he's very much a ground player. At certain times in certain games it would give us the facility to play him with Pat Sanderson. He gives us more options and cover in a position we didn't have any.

"A lot of players that are brought to the club are not household names but possess a lot of hunger and enthusiasm to progress. He's very keen to prove himself at Premiership level.

"Newbury were very keen to keep him but the chance of playing Premiership rugby was a very big draw for him."

Tuamoheloa came to the attention of top clubs after seven tries from 25 starts helped secure the runners-up spot in National Two behind Doncaster last season.

He has previously played in New Zealand for North Harbour before moving to England last season as well as featuring in the Pacific Tri-Nations tournament this summer.