Glasgow Warriors prop Jon Welsh has agreed to join Premiership strugglers Newcastle Falcons at the end of the season on a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old Scotland international has spent his entire professional career with Pro 12 outfit Glasgow, but has opted to take the opportunity to ply his trade south of the border.
He said: "I think Newcastle are a club with a big future and definitely want to go places and for me personally, it's the challenge of being able to come down and compete in the Premiership.
"I love Glasgow, I’m from here and all my family is here. This is my seventh season at the club and I think at 28, its good timing for change and to challenge myself in a new environment where the ambitions are high."
Welsh made four appearances for Scotland and scored his first international try in the Six Nations defeat against Wales last month.
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Jon is a player who comes with a great pedigree and has been a key feature of a Warriors team that is a consistent force in the Pro 12 and one that will add further quality to our front row options.
"He looked very sharp in the Six Nations and hopefully will add to his four caps to date by impressing out in a Falcons shirt.
"At 28 he is starting to approach his peak years as a prop and I am sure with the experience he has already amassed will help him be a key part of our plans going forward."