WARRIORS have completed the most sensational signing in their history after All Blacks star Rico Gear joined the club on a three-year deal.

The 29-year-old wing is regarded as one of the most deadly finishers in the world game and has been courted by Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock for much of the summer.

Ruddock has beaten off competition from a host of clubs across Europe to secure the services of a player who scored his 10th try in 18 internationals against Canada on Saturday.

"We wanted to make a statement about our ambition as a club and about the future of Worcester Warriors which we believe will be a very positive one," said the Sixways boss.

"We want to try and play an exciting brand of rugby that encourages players to express themselves and creates interest amongst our supporters.

"I believe in the signing of Rico we've certainly achieved both those factors and we're hoping that such a quality player will act as a catalyst for a progressive brand of rugby.

"Rico is one of the best finishers in the game and he has got the pace to finish off any chances that we are looking to create for him."

Gear was the Canterbury Crusaders' top try scorer in last season's Super 14 campaign and in 2005 equalled the all-time record for the competition with 15 scores.

He has previously had successful spells with Poverty Bay, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and North Harbour and has played Super 12 rugby for the Auckland Blues and Highlanders.

His pedigree at international level is just as impressive. Gear made his All Blacks debut in July 2004, scoring a try against the Pacific Islanders, having previously won a Commonwealth gold medal with the New Zealand Sevens side.

He featured against the British Lions in their 2005 tour and then caught the eye of Ruddock when he scored a stunning hat-trick of tries against his Wales side at the Millennium Stadium later that year.

Gear, who will be in action in the Tri Nations series over the next five weeks, is not expected to arrive at Sixways until after the World Cup in the autumn and his contract will run until the end of 2009/10 season.

He will link up with compatriots Sam Tuitupou and Greg Rawlinson as well as the club's three other summer signings - Fiji's Netani Talei, Samoan Loki Crichton and South African Shaun Ruwers.

"Warriors have shown their burning desire to move forward in recent months by signing a number of world class players, including Sam and Greg, who I know well from Super 14 rugby and the All Blacks," said Gear.

"I'm looking forward to coming over with them and making a real impact at Sixways."