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London - English cub Harlequins have announced the signing of South African flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis from French Top 14 side, Montpellier.
Catrakilis will join his team-mates from the 2017/18 season.
The 27-year-old has played in some of the most competitive leagues in world rugby and has won two Currie Cup titles with Western Province and a European Challenge Cup with Montpellier.
“I am absolutely delighted that we have signed Demetri for next season,” Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston told the club’s official website.
“The flyhalf position is hugely influential in the game and Demetri has all the physical and mental attributes required to dominate at the highest level.
“Our ability to secure this signing already is a reflection of our commitment to focus hugely on Harlequins’ recruitment needs for the future.”
Catrakilis made his professional debut in 2011 for Western Province where he went on to make 58 appearances and scored 670 points across two stints for the Capetonians. In the first of his Currie Cup final victories, against the Sharks in Durban in 2012, he dropped a goal off each foot to lead WP to their first Currie Cup title in eleven years.
Born in South Africa with Cypriot heritage, he also represented Southern Kings in Super Rugby, whom he played for in 2013 before returning to Western Province a year later. While with Kings he scored 151 points from just 15 matches. Following his second spell with Western Province he joined the Stormers where he played 24 matches and scored 211 points.
Catrakilis is also the joint all-time record holder for the most consecutive goal kicks in Super Rugby with 28. He has converted every place kick in every final in which he has played and over the last three seasons, across Currie Cup, Super Rugby, Top 14 and the European Challenge Cup, he has a kicking success rate of over 85% from the tee.
He joined his most recent club Montpellier ahead of the 2015 season and has made 24 appearances and scored 259 points for the French side to date.
Catrakilis commented: “I am very grateful for the opportunities I have received so far in my career to play for quality teams and I am very excited to continue on this trend next year with a prestigious club like Harlequins.
“For the present however I am focused on doing one better than last year for Montpellier and very much determined to give my all for the club and the fans before I join Harlequins.''
Catrakilis' agent Tom Beattie of TDB Sports also commented: ''Demetri will be channelling all of his energy on success in the Top 14 and European competitions whilst repaying the faith of Jake White at Montpellier. He will then join another great club in Harlequins and we believe this opportunity has the making of a long and happy marriage between both parties.''
