Verbakel will bring a physical presence to the Warriors' pack © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Rob Verbakel

Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12 | ITM Cup

Teams: Glasgow | Otago | Scotland

Glasgow have bolstered their second-row engine room with the signing of Otago lock Rob Verbakel.

The 24-year-old possesses a Dutch passport and due to the fact that the ITM Cup season is now complete, he will arrive in Glasgow next week. Warriors head coach Sean Lineen is delighted with his capture and believes Verbakel is set to make a substantial contribution to the RaboDirect PRO12 side's pack.

"I'm very pleased to have Rob signed up, both because he's a player who will bring a number of very positive aspects to the group and because of the timing," Lineen said. "We're delighted to have given so many players to the Scotland squad, but it's also good to have a bit more depth in our squad and I'm looking forward to seeing Rob challenge the likes of Tom Ryder, Rob Harley, James Eddie and Nick Campbell for a place in the second row.

"He's a powerful kind of lock, whose basics in the set-piece are very strong and who likes to carry the ball. I'm very confident he will be an asset to the group in what is a vital stage of our season."

And Verbakel is adamant that he will not be feeling the fatigue of a long season in New Zealand. He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to be coming to a side who play in two of the best club competitions in the northern hemisphere, the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup.

"I was thrilled to get the call, and it wasn't something I needed to think particularly long about. I know I'll be arriving with the season already underway, but I feel like I'll be showing up battle-hardened after my involvement with Otago and my aim will be to hit the ground running with the Warriors."