 Cockerill believes he is not taking a risk on Ayerza |
Leicester Tigers have signed promising Argentina prop Marcos Ayerza. The Premiership runners-up beat off competition from French sides Agen and Toulouse to sign the highly-rated 23-year-old loose-head.
Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury: "He's young, he's big and is a player we can develop.
"This is the first time he has gone full-time for a professional club. Argentina rate him highly," he said.
"We have a scouting system and he was on the market in France. We got wind of it and intercepted him.
"He decided to come to us. I saw him play for Argentina and, while he's unheard of, I don't think he's a risk."
Ayerza will be developed as a replacement for loose-head Graham Rowntree, who will only play part-time next season.
The Argentine is the second prop to sign for Leicester this summer following Italy's Martin Castrogiavanni.
Leicester have also signed hooker Gavin Hickie, No.8 Jordan Crane, scrum-half Frank Murphy and fly-half Paul Burke.
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