Glasgow - Glasgow have signed Crusaders wing Sean Maitland in a move that could also pay off for the Scotland national team.

Maitland, 24, who can play at fullback or on either wing, qualifies to play for Scotland through his paternal grandparents.

Head coach Gregor Townsend told www.glasgowwarriors.org: "We're delighted to be welcoming a player of Sean Maitland's calibre to Glasgow Warriors.

"The back three is an area of the team where we already have a number of excellent options, and Sean will provide a further layer of quality as we enter another busy phase of the season.

"His try-scoring record in Super Rugby speaks for itself, and he's also a player who has a big appetite for self-improvement.

"He will be a fantastic addition to our squad and will, I'm sure, be very popular with our supporters."

Maitland, who scored 24 tries in Super Rugby and crossed four times in a game against the Brumbies last year, will join Warriors in the coming weeks subject to a medical and visa, having signed a contract that ties him to Scotstoun until May 2015.

He won world titles with the All Blacks at Under-19 and Under-20 level and represented the New Zealand Maoris in 2010.

Maitland will join former Lions captain Josh Strauss at the Glasgow Warriors.