Sale Sharks have snatched Italy’s Six Nations prop Alberto di Marchi from under the nose of Toulon.
The player has signed a two-year contract to move to Manchester from Italian side Treviso.
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said he was “elated” at the deal.
“Alberto’s a very good player and we are absolutely delighted to have signed him,” Diamond told the Sharks official website.
“He’s a good age, being just 25, and he’s also versatile in that he can play both sides of the scrum at tight head and loose head, though we see him as a tight head in the main.
“I think Alberto will fit in very well with our other props Vadim Cobilas, Ross Harrison and Fridge (Eifion Lewis-Roberts).