Lavea is the latest name to join Steve Diamond's revolution at Sale

Fly-half Tasesa Lavea has become the latest addition to Sale Sharks after signing a two-year deal from Top 14 champions Clermont-Auvergne.

The 31-year-old, who can also play centre, is a dual-code international having played union for Samoa and league for New Zealand.

Lavea also has Super 14 experience with the Blues and the Crusaders.

Director of sport Steve Diamond said: "Tasesa is quality and fits perfectly with our plans for next season."

The kicking stand-off is latest addition to Sharks' new look set-up for next season after the recent signings of Mark Easter, Kris Chesney , Kearnan Myall and Joe Ward.

Lavea, who was a junior All Black before switching codes in 2000, added: "Having played a lot of top level rugby in the southern hemisphere and in the past two years experiencing success in the Top 14 with Clermont, it is a fantastic opportunity for me to experience another tough, world-class competition with Sale Sharks.

"I like the fact that the club is making changes and want a fresh start and it is exactly the type of challenge I am looking for."

The New Zealand-born player made his name in his homeland before joining NRL outfit Melbourne in 2000 where his prodigious kicking made him the club's top scorer in his debut term.

He went on to collect the NRL rookie of the year award that same season.

After returning to New Zealand in 2003 he had successive spells with first the Blues and then, in 2007, two years with the Crusaders before returning to the Auckland Super 14 outfit in 2009.

There followed his move to France from where he was selected for his first cap for Samoa in last autumn's internationals.

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