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London - Australia forward Scott Fardy has signed for Leinster and will join once his Super Rugby season with the Brumbies concludes, the Irish province announced on Friday.
The length of his contract was not specified in a Leinster statement but Irish media reports said he had signed a two-year deal.
Fardy, a 32-year-old back-row, has won 39 caps since making his Australia debut in 2013 but his decision to join Leinster, which will become effective in the next European season, could have an impact on his Test career.
He is some way short of the 60 cap-mark required for overseas-based Australia players to continue to be considered for international selection after rules effectively banning players at foreign clubs from consideration for the Wallabies were relaxed in 2015.
However, if Fardy returned to an Australian side immediately after completing a two-year deal, he could still be eligible to play at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
"Scott is a player of considerable talent and experience and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Leinster," said head coach Leo Cullen in a club statement.
Although he is best-known as a flank, Dublin-based Leinster will look to deploy Fardy, who has played 83 times for the Canberra-based Brumbies since his debut in 2012, as a lock.
"In order to compete consistently on two fronts in the Guinness PRO12 (Celtic League) and the (European) Champions Cup we need to have competition across the team and while Scott has played a lot of rugby in the back row, we have signed Scott as a second row and believe he will complement the second row options that we already have here in Leinster," Cullen added.
"His arrival though is some way off and I know that he is keen to focus on the rest of his time with the Brumbies as are we with the rest of the PRO12 and Champions Cup season starting tomorrow (Saturday) against the Scarlets in the RDS (Royal Dublin Showground)
"But it is certainly an exciting announcement for the team and for our supporters ahead of next season."
Fardy, speaking to leinsterrugby.ie, said: "I am delighted to be joining Leinster Rugby a club with a rich heritage and a proud tradition.
"I've enjoyed hugely my time with the Brumbies since making my debut in 2012 but this is an exciting opportunity for me to challenge myself in a new club and a different country."
He added: "I am very grateful to the Brumbies and the Australian fans for all the support over the years and I am committed to seeing out the Super Rugby season in a positive manner and that continues this weekend against the Sharks."
