Newcastle Falcons sign lock Andrew van der Heijden

Van der Heijden fractured his arm in Auckland's ITM Cup win over Tasman

Newcastle Falcons have signed Auckland and Blues lock Andrew van der Heijden until the end of the 2011-12 season.

The New Zealander, 26, has been a regular in the ITM Cup with Auckland, and has Super 14 experience with Blues.

"He is a big physical presence at the set piece, a leader and somebody who will add a huge amount for us in the pack," said Falcons coach Alan Tait.

"He's at a great age and he brings outstanding work rate along with a superb line-out brain."

Tait added: "Andrew's signing comes on the back of the new investment we have had into the club, which is great news for us and our supporters.

"The board are right behind me in terms of bolstering the squad and adding quality in key areas, but it has to be the right character and we won't be adding just for the sake of it."

VAN DER HEIJDEN

Capped over 60 times at provincial level in New Zealand

2009 Team Man of the Year at Auckland

Played Super 14 rugby with Auckland Blues

Van der Heijden is currently undergoing treatment for an arm fracture and will have to wait to make his Falcons bow.

"He broke his radius in the win over Tasman, and it's just our luck at the moment that we get him signed up and he picks up an injury," Tait continued.

"We've been in very close contact with the medical team over there, we've assessed the scans thoroughly and we're confident that he will be a great addition to the squad."