England flanker Lewis Moody will be playing for Bath in next season's Guinness Premiership © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Bath complete Taylor deal

News: Shaw to miss Murrayfield mission

Players/Officials: Lewis Moody

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: Bath Rugby | England | Leicester Tigers

Guinness Premiership side Bath have announced the signing of England flanker Lewis Moody on a three-year deal.

The 31-year-old will make the switch from rivals Leicester in the summer, bringing an end to a 16-year relationship with the Tigers during which time he shared in six Premiership titles and two Heineken Cup victories.

"I am really looking forward to an exciting new challenge at this stage of my career," said Moody. "Bath Rugby's values perfectly suit my own, it is a great City and Club, with a real family feel and a close knit and impressive squad.

"I have always known that if I was ever going to leave Leicester, the only club I would consider in the UK would be Bath. They play an exciting brand of rugby and having spent time with both Steve Meehan and Nick Blofeld I am sure that there are exciting years ahead."

An industrious forward, Moody has been capped 59 times by England and was part of the squad that lifted the Rugby World Cup crown in 2003 - appearing as a replacement in the final victory over Australia. He also toured New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions in 2005 and featured in two of the Test clashes with the All Blacks.

"Lewis is a proven winner and he brings vast experience, a fierce determination and great attitude with him," said Bath head coach Steve Meehan, who has also recently signed Newcastle winger Tom Biggs and Glasgow scrum-half Mark McMillan for next season. "Adapting to our style of play shouldn't be a problem and we expect him to help create more opportunities and momentum up front."

Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill paid tribute to his departing star, saying, "Lewis has been a big part of this club for a long time and he has won every major honour in his time here. Everyone knows about the enthusiasm he brings to his game, and that has not altered during his 14 years in the first-team squad, which says a lot for his attitude to the game of rugby.

"We wish him well as he takes up a new challenge for next season and I know he will receive a very warm welcome from our supporters whenever he returns. I'm sure he will be looking to go out on a high note and we look forward to his return to Leicester for the run-in to the end of this season after international duty at this season's Six Nations."