Cooper has won 30 caps for Wales

The 27-year-old, who has 32 Wales caps, will move to Kingsholm from the Newport Gwent Dragons in the summer.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me," he told the club's website.

Gloucester boss Dean Ryan said: "Gareth has all the qualities you'd associate with an international number nine and I'm expecting big things from him."

Cooper will compete with Scotland's Rory Lawson and Mike Prendergast, the Irishman recently signed from Bourgoin, for the Gloucester number nine shirt.

"When you come from Wales there are certain rugby clubs in England that you immediately associate with history, pride and tradition and Gloucester is one of the biggest," said Cooper.

"There is nothing half-hearted about what they are trying to achieve in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup.

"Their coaching staff are amazingly driven, the squad that is being assembled is one of the best in Europe, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be involved with such a progressive and talented set-up."

Cooper was born in Bridgend and started his rugby career at Pencoed, which has also produced Welsh stars Scott Gibbs and Gareth Thomas.

He was Wales' first choice number nine at the 2003 World Cup and also toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2005.