Christian Wade: Gloucester sign Racing 92 winger for start of next season
- Published
Christian Wade has scored seven tries in 16 appearances since returning to rugby union with Racing 92, having previously pursued a career in the NFL
Winger Christian Wade has agreed to join Premiership side Gloucester from Racing 92 and will link up with his new team before the start of next season.
The 32-year-old began his career with Wasps, for whom he played 165 times, and appeared once for England in 2013.
He left rugby union in 2018 to pursue a career in the NFL and was contracted to the Buffalo Bills as a running back.
But Wade returned to the sport in 2022 with the French Top 14 side and has scored seven tries in 16 appearances.
"I'm excited to be returning to the Premiership next season and for a great club like Gloucester," Wade said.
"After speaking with George [Skivington, Gloucester director of rugby], I believe in his vision and ambition for the team and I can't wait to play my part in that."
During Wade's seven seasons with Wasps he scored 82 Premiership tries and he was also called up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
He went on to join the NFL International Player Pathway - the same programme that former Wales and Gloucester winger Louis Rees-Zammit joined earlier this year.
Wade signed for Buffalo in April 2019 and scored a 65-yard touchdown on his debut for the Bills during pre-season, but never made a regular-season appearance.
Skivington said: "It's been clear since he returned from America that he has come back in even better shape and still has that sixth sense for the tryline that he had before he left.
"We've got a pretty exciting stock of back three players here, but it's hugely pleasing to add someone of Christian's experience to that group."
Wade follows Wales internationals Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe to Kingsholm, with both set to join the Cherry and Whites next season.