Hooper is a former England Under-21 international (Getty Images)

Bath are to sign Leeds Carnegie captain Stuart Hooper at the end of the season on a three-year contract.

The 27-year-old second row joined Leeds, who are bottom of the Premiership, from Saracens in 2003.

Hooper said: "I am honoured to have the opportunity to join a club with the heritage of Bath.

"I am excited about challenging for a place in the team. But my focus, for now, will remain on helping Leeds remain in the Premiership."

Hooper's arrival at The Rec will help fill the void left by Steve Borthwick's departure to Saracens at the end of the season.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: "It will be good to have a player with the Premiership experience that he has - and I hope he will bring a fresh set of ideas.

"He is the type of individual that I am confident will help Bath develop further.

This is an exciting time to start our new life down in Bath Stuart Hooper

"He has shown his character his strength of character through both good and bad at Leeds, and we are looking forward to teaming up with him in the pre-season."

Hooper added: "I have worked with some great players and coaches during my time at Headingley and I am sure the club will continue to grow in the coming years.

"However, I am originally from the South West, and the opportunity to move closer to home was a factor in my decision.

"My wife and I are expecting the arrival of our first child very soon, and this is an exciting time to start our new life down in Bath."