The Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of flyhalf Tim Swiel from their Premiership rivals Harlequins.

The 25-year-old has spent the past four seasons at Harlequins after joining them from the Sharks in 2014. He also previously played for Western Province.

Swiel, who has fallen behind in the pecking order since the emergence of teenager Marcus Smith at Harlequins, joins Newcastle with immediate effect.

Commenting on the club’s new acquisition, Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: ‘Tim is a player I’ve admired for some time. He plays the game at pace and is someone who makes things happen in attack. He will fit perfectly into the way we play.

‘The fact that he can play multiple positions is another major plus point, and we look forward to seeing him being integrated into our squad.’

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