London Irish sign Hagan on three-year deal

Leinster tighthead prop relishing Premiership chance

Leinster tighthead prop Jamie Hagan has joined London Irish on a three-year deal. Photograph:   Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Leinster tighthead prop Jamie Hagan has joined London Irish on a three-year deal. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

London Irish have signed Leinster tighthead prop Jamie Hagan on a three-year deal.

The 25-year-old former Gormanston College pupil came through the Leinster Youth set-up before joining the province's Academy as an 18-year-old in 2005.

He spent two years with Connacht and was part of the Grand Slam-winning Ireland under-20 side in 2007 and rejoined Leinster in June 2011.

"I'm looking forward to moving across to England and joining London Irish. They are a team with a rich heritage and proud Irish traditions which will really suit me,” said Hagan, who has made two appearances for the Irish Wolfhounds.

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“I would like to thank Leinster for all they have done for me and wish them well for the future. I look forward to joining London Irish next season and getting stuck in to Premiership rugby."

On announcing the deal, London Irish director of rugby and former Ireland outhalf Brian Smith said: "Jamie Hagan is a future Irish Test player, he's cut his teeth in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and is more than ready to launch his Aviva Premiership career.

“He’s a tough, uncompromising prop coming into his prime and he’ll add more steel to our tight five. Jamie’s rugby talent and Irish heritage make him a perfect fit for the club. I’m genuinely delighted that he’s committed to London Irish for the next three seasons.”