Bonorino won a bronze medal with Argentina in the 2007 World Cup

Northampton Saints have signed Argentine prop Santiago Bonorino from Leicester Tigers on a one-year deal.

The 34-year-old has won 15 caps for the Pumas, the last of them against Scotland - and his future team-mate Euan Murray - last summer.

"I am happy to have signed for Northampton. It's an important club and a big club," he said.

"I have a big friend at the Saints - Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe - and he's spoken a lot about Northampton."

He added: "This year they've played well in the Premiership and are in the final of the European Challenge Cup.

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"They have a young squad that will get better with more experience, and I hope Northampton will take another step forward next year."

He is the second prop to join Saints this week following Tuesday's signing of South Africa international Brian Mujati.

And director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes Bonorino will prove a big asset next season.

"One of the areas we have needed to recruit is in the front row," he said.

"Although we have promising youngsters like Jon Vickers and Regardt Dreyer we also need players who have the know-how that comes from a long career and we're losing that with the retirements of Barry Stewart and Tom Smith.

"Santiago is a quality player who has plenty of experience, both at international level with Argentina and at club level across Europe."

Bonorino previously played for Italian club Capitolina and for Castres and Beziers in France before joining Leicester.

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