Pez has played 14 times for Italy

Leicester Tigers have signed fly-half Ramiro Pez from National League One champions Rotherham.

The 24-year-old has won 14 international caps in the last three years and will be an important member of Italy's World Cup squad after displacing Diego Dominguez.

Pez, who will not join up with the Tigers until December, is delighted to be joining the club after two successful seasons at Rotherham.

"I'm so happy to be coming to Leicester," he said.

"I've had two great years at Rotherham and have made some really good friends there, but this is a brilliant opportunity for me.

"Leicester Tigers are such a good team and when they approached me I was very pleased indeed.

"The club has had so much success over the last few years and I really want to be part of that.

I'm sure Ramiro will become a real favourite with our supporters Leicester coach Dean Richards

"I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far. The facilities are excellent and everybody has made me feel very welcome.

"I can't wait for my first game - it will be a very big moment for me."

Leicester have used three different fly-halves - Austin Healey, Sam Vesty and Craig McMullen during the past season as they lost their domestic and European crowns.

Director of rugby Dean Richards is looking forward to seeing Pez in action at Welford Road.

"Ramiro is a really exciting player and I'm delighted that he will be joining us. He has a good left foot, but is far more than a kicking fly-half," said Richards.

"He takes the ball up to the gain line extremely well and is just the kind of player who will put opposition defences on the back foot.

"I'm sure he will become a real favourite with our supporters. He is a very likeable young man who is extremely dedicated to training."

Leicester finished sixth in the Zurich Premiership this season and can now only qualify for next season's Heineken Cup as winners of the Premiership wildcard play-offs.