Dom Waldouck completes transfer from Wasps to Northampton Saints
Thursday 05th Jul 2012
James Grant rugby client Dominic Waldouck has completed a transfer from London Wasps to Northampton Saints in time for the start of the new season.
The 24-year-old England Saxons centre, who had a year remaining on his current contract with London Wasps, will join up with Northampton immediately after the two clubs agreed terms for his early release.
A Heineken Cup winner in 2007, Dom added a Premiership title to his collection the following season. That summer, aged just 20, he toured New Zealand with the full England side for the first time, and while he was also chosen for the 2010 trip to Australia an untimely injury in the first match prevented him winning a full cap.
Dom became an England Saxon in 2009 and has regularly represented the national second string ever since, most recently in the 2012 Six Nations game against Scotland.
“This has been a really difficult decision to arrive at but I feel it is right for me at this stage in my career, " Dom said.
"I first started training with Wasps when I was 15 and the club has played a massive part in my life over the last nine years. The obvious highlights include the Heineken and Premiership wins, but more importantly the friends I’ve made and the supporters are the main memories I will take with me as I leave.
“I’d like to thank Dai Young for his support and advice over the last month, and though he may disagree with my decision, I sincerely wish him and everyone at London Wasps the best for the future.
“I’m keen to hit the ground running at Northampton and look forward to starting with the boys this week. I worked with Jim Mallinder a few years ago in the National Academy and know that he likes to produce teams that play attractive rugby, so hopefully I can fit into the system and help contribute to the club’s success.
“My ambition to play for England is as strong as ever and I believe that playing Heineken Cup rugby for the Saints gives me the best platform to help achieve these goals."
Northampton Saints' Director of Rugby, Jim Mallinder, says that Dom will add depth to the Saints squad in a crucial position: “Dom has shown his ability repeatedly throughout his career, especially on the big stages such as Heineken Cup and Premiership finals.
"He has a strong all round game and can play in both centre positions. Dom may be young, but he already has a great deal of experience at club level and with the Saxons and I’m sure that his best years are in front of him.
“I’m delighted that he has decided to spend them at Franklin’s Gardens as a member of the Saints squad.”
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