Greig Laidlaw will be a Gloucester player next term © PA Photos

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Gloucester have added to their half-back resources with the signing of Scotland's Greig Laidlaw.

Laidlaw, who has 27 caps for Scotland, is currently running out in the Six Nations at scrum-half but Gloucester see him as a player who can cover fly-half as well as they seek to replace the departing Freddie Burns.

"We see him very much as a nine/ ten, a role that he's fulfilled for Scotland," Laidlaw said. "He's exactly the right sort of character that we want to bring in to the squad, he's a natural leader with a fantastic skill set and he impacts games positively. He's also a true 80% plus goal kicker.

"When I went up to Scotland to meet him, he realised where we were and of our desire for him to play both positions. He's happy to do that. He's played nearly 40% of his international rugby as a fly half and has a very accurate and astute kicking game.

"And his goal kicking will be absolutely essential for us. When you look at the teams who finish in the top four, one of the things they have is a high percentage goal kicker."

Laidlaw added: "At this stage of my career, this is a fantastic opportunity and challenge for me. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with Edinburgh to date, but this is a chance for me to test myself in a completely new environment.

"Gloucester impressed me from the off - the stadium, the training facilities, the heritage and history of the club. A number of my Scotland team mates have played for Gloucester and they had nothing but good things to say about the club.

"When Nigel [Davies] outlined his plans and ambitions for the future, it became a very easy decision. He and everyone there want to see Gloucester competing at the very top of the club game and that's something I very much look forward to being part of."