Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager sign for Japanese club
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Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager are off to Japan next season.
Japan Rugby League One side the Panasonic Wild Knights have confirmed that the pair have signed with the Club ahead of the 2023 season.
De Jager fills the void that retiring England and Lions international George Kruis while de Allende returns to the Club who he represented in 2020 before joining Munster.
The side coached by former Crusaders and Wallabies boss Robbie Deans also confirmed the signing of New Zealand lock Liam Mitchell. The second-rower represented the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Zebre in the United Rugby Championship.
"I am very happy to be coming back to Japan and Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights." de Allende said on rejoining the club.
"I really enjoyed my season in 2019-2020 before it was cut short because of covid. It has been great to follow the team and see how well they played, also to see Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights win the Japanese competition two years in a row. I am excited to see some of my old teammates and I hope I can be a good influence on the team and keep the winning streak going." he added.
Arriving at the club following his stint with the Sale Sharks, de Jager expressed his excitement in joining the side.
"I am really excited to be joining the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. They are the team with tremendous pedigree and a professional environment with world class facilities."
"I always want to improve as a player, and I feel Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights is the perfect place for me to do so. I have always enjoyed Japan and have a fondness for the culture and the people."
"I look forward to working with my new teammates and coaches to improve my game and hopefully contribute towards Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights being successful."
Liam Mitchell said:
"The family and I are really looking forward to heading to Japan to join the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. The club has a great history and I look forward to contributing to the environment under the high caliber of coaching staff and players."
