Aviva Premiership
Camacho joins Exeter
ESPNscrum Staff
June 15, 2011
Harlequins wing Gonzalo Camacho scores a late try, Harlequins v Stade Francais, Amlin Challenge Cup Final, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, May 20, 2011
Camacho scoring the winning try in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final in May © Getty Images
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Argentinean star Gonzalo Camacho will join Exeter Chiefs for the 2011-12 season, the Devon club announced on Wednesday.

Camacho joins the Chiefs on a two-year deal from Aviva Premiership rivals Harlequins, where he made 30 appearances and scored the winning try in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final in dramatic fashion against Stade Francais in May.

Camacho has five caps for Argentina and looks set to be included in their World Cup squad, meaning the Sandy Park faithful will have to wait until October at the earliest to see their new acquisition. His signature comes hot on the heels of the Devon's clubs announcement yesterday concerning the addition of former Bath lock Peter Short. Exeter head coach Rob Baxter was understandably delighted with his new signing and sees the Argentinean winger as the perfect replacement for the departing Nemani Nadolo.

"We have said for some time that we have been looking for a replacement for Nemani [Nadolo] since we knew he left," said Baxter. "Interestingly enough and around the same time, Gonzalo came onto the market and it is just a really good fit for us. He's a completely different player to Nemani, but also a different kind of player to what we have here already. He's a smaller, lighter guy, who is more reliant on his footwork and his explosive pace over a short distance. He is a very tough, competitive player - which is obviously very attractive to us - and he's shown some good form at the time he became available playing very well in a Harlequins side that was also playing very well. As I said, he's a really good signing for us."

"With the likelihood of Camacho being included in the Argentina squad for the forthcoming World Cup, it may not be until October before Chiefs supporters finally get to see the player pull on an Exeter jersey. Fortunately for him, perhaps unfortunately for us, he's in the World Cup so it means we will have to wait a little while to see him, but he will join up with us as soon as the World Cup finishes. That said, he has already come down, he's done a good testing with us; he's a very good character and I am sure he will fit right in. I believe he gives us a really strong option right across our back three."

Premiership newcomers Worcester were rumoured to be interested in Camacho's signature but Camacho, who was a fans favourite at the Stoop, added that the crowd were a major part of why he decided to move to Sandy Park.

"I am very excited about this new experience and coming to live and play in Exeter," Camacho said. "I have heard nothing but good things about the club and having played at the stadium in Exeter, I loved the crowd. They are crazy for the team and I love that. When I came down to Exeter a few weeks ago the people there seemed so friendly. You don't find that everywhere, but it was an amazing experience. The club too was very nice and the set-up is very professional.

"Harlequins is a great club with lots of great people. I have made many good friends there and that is priceless for me. Obviously winning the Challenge Cup was another thing that I will not forget easily, but now I am looking forward to my new start with Exeter."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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