Saracens have signed French international forward Abdelatif Benazzi on a two-year contract, the club announced today.

Benazzi, 32, moves from Agen, the only senior club he has played for to date, as a natural replacement for Sarries' departed England second row, Danny Grewcock.

The Moroccan-born star captained his country to the Grand Slam and Five Nations Championship in 1997 and has won 78 caps, including 10 as skipper, appearing in three World Cups.

Benazzi, who has alternated between second row and back row for France, follows the path to north London trodden by his former Agen team-mate, Philippe Sella, and joins fellow French international Thomas Castaignède at the Zurich Premiership club.

"This is the first time that I've moved clubs like this," said Benazzi, "so I thought very carefully about where to go.

"Philippe and Thomas helped me with information on what it's like to play in the Premiership, and what it was like at Saracens. I then met with Francois (Pienaar, Saracens' coach and chief executive) and Nigel (Wray, club owner) who are great men, and then made my decision.

"Saracens are a big and very professional club, I'm very motivated and very much looking forward to being a part of their future."

Wray endured a disappointing season with Saracens missing out on Heineken Cup qualification, but continues to bankroll efforts to improve the team's performance.

"Again we believe that we have a player who's credentials speak for themselves," Wray said. "He is also an outstanding character and will be great for the club as a whole."

Abdel Benazzi factfile:

Place of Birth - Ouijda, Morocco
Date of Birth - 20/08/1968
Age - 32
Position - Second Row/No 8
Height - 6ft 5ins
Weight - 18st
Caps - 78 (10 as captain)
Tries - 9
Debut - June 1990 v Australia
World Cups - 1991, 1995, 1999
Last Test - 7th April 2001 v England
Former Clubs - Cahors (French 2nd Division), Agen