Cory Allen has said he is leaving the Cardiff Blues for the Ospreys because he believes they can make him a better player.
He has also stressed his belief he is joining a region with an ambitious head coach in Steve Tandy.
The Wales centre is moving from the Arms Park to the Liberty Stadium at the end of the season, having signed a two-year deal.
Allen has played 14 matches for the Blues this season, but has lost out in selection under coach Danny Wilson in recent weeks to New Zealand pair Rey Lee-Lo and Willis Halaholo.
The 24-year-old, who has also failed to make the Wales squad this season, believes the switch of region can help him get back on track.
“Everyone who goes there seems to improve as a player, it’s what the Ospreys are best at,” said Allen.
“The focus is always on development and improvement, whoever you are. You never stop looking to improve and being at the Ospreys can help me do that.
“When you look at their record for developing players it’s pretty impressive by any standards and that includes boys that they sign from other regions or clubs.
“I’m still young with, hopefully, a long career ahead of me. I still have Wales ambitions having had a taste of it, I want to be playing in big Pro 12 and European games and I think the Ospreys is the best place for me to do that.”
Allen will help fill the gap left by Josh Matavesi, the Fijian who is leaving for Newcastle at the end of the campaign, having been released a year early from the end of his contract.
With James Hook returning to the Ospreys from Gloucester, Allen will compete with the former Wales star as well as Ben John, Kieron Fonotia and Jonathan Spratt for a place in the starting line-up.
He added: “Ever since I met with Steve Tandy and the coaches to talk about the possibility there was only ever going to be one place I wanted to play rugby next season.
Steve is ambitious and, with the rest of the coaches, has a plan for where he wants the Ospreys to go. There are a few things he said that really excited me and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“The Ospreys are playing some great rugby this year and, personally, I can’t wait to be a part of the squad next season. You look at where the Ospreys are at the moment, they are in a good place as a team and competing on two fronts, with a great style of rugby.
“There’s a young squad and the prospect of competing next season with some of the quality centres already there is an exciting one.”
Allen scored 12 tries in 56 games during his time with the Blues.
