English rugby union club Leicester have confirmed the signing of Lote Tuqiri who will start training with the English Premiership champions this week.

The contract is likely to be a short-term one with the dual international thought to have come to an agreement with Wests Tigers to relaunch his rugby league career with the Sydney NRL club starting in 2010.

Tuqiri hasn't played any football since his contract was cancelled in July by the Australian Rugby Union.

Leicester coach Richard Cockerill said he was delighted to have signed a player of Tuqiri's "undoubted class."

He added: "Lote has had interest from a lot of clubs around Europe, and the fact that he chose to come here says a lot about him. We're very happy he has chosen Leicester Tigers.

"He has been very successful at the top levels of the game and I'm sure our supporters are looking forward to seeing him in a Tigers shirt.

"He is a world-class player and is still hungry to achieve things in the game.

"Now we're looking forward to getting him into training and competing for a place in the team."

Tuqiri, who switched from league to union in 2002 and has scored 31 tries in 67 Tests for Australia, said he was looking forward to getting down to work.

"This is a successful club, and that is one of the main reasons for coming here.

"The club is always in the frame to win things and I still think I have a lot to achieve in rugby. I still have the ambition to play at the highest level and I still have the competitive edge.

"This is a new challenge, coming to a new league in a new country, and it is one I am really looking forward to. There are a lot of good players here and now I'm just looking forward to getting started."

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