ULSTER HAVE CONFIRMED the signing of Wallabies and Brumbies second row Sam Carter.
Following reports linking the 29-year-old to a deal with the province in The Canberra Times and The42, Carter is now set to join Dan McFarland’s side this summer.
Carter, who is out of contract at the end of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign, has won 14 caps for Australia after making his debut in 2014.
The son of former Wallaby David Carter will be an experienced second row option for Ulster, with Iain Henderson often away on Ireland duty or sometimes being rested under the IRFU’s player management programme.
Carter made his debut for the Brumbies in 2011 and he became just the twelfth player to make 100 appearances for the club in 2018. To date, he has earned 105 Super Rugby caps.
He was made co-captain of the team in 2017 alongside Christian Leali’ifano, who himself enjoyed a successful four-month stint at Ulster last season.
After signing for the Irish province, a delighted Carter said:
“I look forward to joining Ulster later in the year and I’m excited by the prospect of playing with the team at Kingspan Stadium.
“The opportunity to compete within the Northern Hemisphere tournaments represents a new challenge for me and is something I feel ready for.”
Head coach McFarland added:
“We’re really happy that Sam has chosen to come to Ulster Rugby and we look forward to welcoming him to the club and the Province.
“In addition to his undoubted quality on the field, Sam is renowned for his leadership, having shared the captaincy of the Brumbies over the past couple of seasons.
“Sam has an excellent work ethic and a strong set piece game, where he has led one of Super Rugby’s top lineouts over the past five years.
“He will add another level of experience and leadership to our forward pack and will significantly enhance competition for places within our squad.”
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At his age it’s a clever thing to do, he’ll be 31 by the time his contract runs out. Take a nice hefty signing fee from Juve and spend your last 2/3 seasons in Turin before retirement. Bad bit of business by Spurs though.
@David Lawlor: better not get injured before Christmas. That will be in his mind and impact on his performance. Little tweaks and he will cry off.
@David Lawlor: it’s a release clause, if he won’t sign a contract what you expect them to do
Fair chance he’s looking to run down his contract, I guess
@Kevin Ryan: Then Juve will swoop in for the free transfer. Lovely jubbly!
Absolutely nuts how nobody went for him. It was a no brianer for Solskjaer or even Emery to go in for him.
@Patsy Mongan: Would have also weakened a rival in Spurs who dont have the cash to sign a replacement of equal quality.
@PΛÐÐY ЯOOПΣY: dont have the cash? Do you not follow the news.. spurs are loaded
Woodward hang your head in shame
Will go to juve for free and a big payday next summer
There is a good possibility he could end up at Ajax too, said he wants to finish his career there.