London Wasps have announced that hooker James Buckland will be joining the club for the start of the 2007-8 season.

The move may feel like something of a homecoming for Aylesbury born Buckland, who previously spent time with Northampton Saints before joining Leicester Tigers in 2002. A former England U21 player, he also enjoyed league success with Tigers U21s in 2002-3.

Buckland was also part of the Leicester A squad who beat Wasps in the A League Final two season's ago, but then tasted defeat when Wasps evened the honours, beating Buckland and Tigers to the Guinness A League title last April.

He has also gathered a significant amount of senior rugby experience, having made 12 competitive starts in 2006-7.

On joining the club, Buckland said, "I'm really pleased to be joining my local club. I'm looking forward to playing at Adams Park and I'm hoping this is to be a long term move for me.

"Wasps is a great club and the players are a great bunch of lads, so I'm very happy to be here. Things will be new and fresh so I'm hoping to learn a lot and improve as a player.

"A lot of people have gone out of their way to get me here, and I want to make sure I work hard and do well to repay their faith in me."

Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan welcomed Buckland to Wasps, saying: "We are delighted to be signing such a quality player as James. As a hooker, he plays in one of rugby's key positions and his arrival at Wasps will continue the increase in competitive levels within the squad.

"James comes to us with some important Guinness Premiership and European rugby experience, which I've no doubt will prove valuable to us going forward, and I'm very happy that he's joining the squad."