Lemi caught the eye during the recent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Cusiter commits to Glasgow

News: Gray departure hurts Glasgow

Match Pack: Weir guides Glasgow to Aironi win

Players/Officials: David Lemi

Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12

Teams: Glasgow | Scotland

Glasgow Warriors have bolstered their back division with the signing of Samoan international winger David Lemi until the end of the current season.

The former London Wasps and Bristol speedster's arrival comes weeks after he impressed for his country at the recent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. This further infusion of quality in the Warriors back three comes in the wake of the news that DTH van der Merwe is likely to miss a significant portion of the season with a shoulder injury.

The 29-year-old is due to land in Glasgow on Tuesday and as a UK resident since 2005 he will not be considered a "non-European" player for RaboDirect PRO12 games. Under tournament rules, a maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a team's match-day squad.

"I'm delighted to have signed for Glasgow Warriors and to have the chance to help the team enjoy a successful season," Lemi told the club's official website. "One look at the squad list tells you that this is a club with a lot of talented players, and I'm confident that I can bring the benefit of my own experience to bear and play a part in the side continuing to win.

"Having spoken to [coach] Sean Lineen, I've already got a got insight into the passion and commitment that I'll find at the club. They've been doing well of late, and I can't wait to do my bit to make sure that run continues."

Already an established figure on the IRB 7s circuit, Lemi first captured the wider imagination in the 15-a-side game by finishing runner up in the English Premiership try scoring charts in his debut season with Bristol. He went one better the following campaign, before moving to Wasps in 2009. He was again the league's joint top marksman that year, and has won a fistful of accolades for spectacular individual scores.

Lineen is "very excited" to have secured his services, commenting: "David is a gifted performer who ticks all the boxes in terms of what we're looking for in a player. He's hungry, he handles pressure well and he's a proven try scorer. It looks like we're going to be without one of our main try-providers, DTH, for a significant amount of time, and so it's fantastic to have brought on board someone like David who we know will provide the same sort of threat."