Rugby:Ulster Rugby has signed All-Black prop John Afoa on a two-and-a-half year deal and will join the province after this year's World Cup in New Zealand.

The 27-year-old joined the Auckland Blues in 2004 and made his debut for the All-Blacks the following year against Ireland. He has 28 caps and last featured for the World Cup favourites against Scotland in the autumn internationals last year.

Afoa also represented New Zealand at School, Under-19 and Under-21 levels and won the 2003 Under-21 World Championship.

“I’ve been part of the Blues’ family for my entire career so far so when the opportunity to look at a move came up I felt that the period post World Cup would be the perfect time,” said Afoa.

“I’ve done my research and can’t help but be impressed at how the Ulster squad is developing. There seems to be a good mix of local and overseas players and I’m very much looking forward to playing my part in that.

“I want to challenge myself and the northern hemisphere style of play will certainly offer me that. Most of the players who move north state that the chance to participate in the Heineken Cup as one of the key factors in their decision and the same is true for me.

“Since the possibility of a move came up I’ve also caught some of the Magners League and that looks like a competition that is going from strength to strength.

David Humphreys, Ulster’s director of rugby, is pleased with their latest signing which brings more international experience to the squad.

“We have deliberately looked for high quality, international players in key positions and in John, we believe we’ve got it absolutely right,” said Humphreys. “He’s a hugely talented player, both at set piece and in the loose and he will bring a huge amount of Super Rugby and international experience to Ulster.”