Wales scrum-half Aled Davies is to become the second current international to leave the Scarlets for the Ospreys.
The 25-year-old – who started for Wales against South Africa last Saturday – will join Scott Williams in moving from the current Guinness Pro14 champions to join their struggling neighbours.
Like Williams, five-times capped Davies wants more starting time, having found himself in the shadow of fellow Wales international Gareth Davies.
But with Wales’ current first choice scrum-half Rhys Webb leaving the Ospreys to join Toulon next summer, then Aled Davies will fancy his chances of becoming the No.1 choice at the Liberty Stadium next season.
His departure will confirm a big turnaround at Parc Y Scarlets as he becomes the fourth player to announce his departure, following Williams and forward pair John Barclay, who is joining Edinburgh, and Munster-bound Tadhg Beirne.
After agreeing a two-year deal, he said: “It’s been an incredibly hard decision to leave my boyhood club at the Scarlets where I’ve had a fantastic nine years at the club and leave many good friends.
“However, having sat down a few times with Steve Tandy, it was clear that moving to the Ospreys was the correct rugby move for me and will allow me to develop further as a player.
“I believe the Ospreys game-plan will suit my style of play and I’m very excited about trying to form a good partnership with Sam Davies, hopefully playing a big part in future success at the Ospreys.
“For now though, my focus is on the rest of the season at the Scarlets and I will be working hard to try and play a role in achieving more silverware this season.”
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said: “Aled is a fantastic rugby player and a great addition to the squad for next season. We’ve spoken at length and this is a great fit for both player and region, a move that makes perfect sense all round.
“With his ability to read a game and decision making skills, combined with real physicality and one of the best passes in the game, he is a real threat and will be a huge asset to the Ospreys, competing with Tom Habberfield and the outstanding young nines we have coming through our ranks.
“He has a really bright future ahead at regional and international level and we are delighted the he sees the Ospreys as the best place to achieve his ambitions.”
Andrew Millward, Ospreys rugby managing director, added: “We are working extremely hard behind the scenes to strengthen our squad for next season, identifying players of the calibre of Scott and Aled who are buying into the vision that Steve has for the Ospreys.
“With two leading internationals already secured for next season we hope to confirm further additions in the coming weeks that will be equally exciting for everyone involved with the region.”
