Exeter Chiefs lock Toby Salmon will join Newcastle Falcons in the summer on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old Norfolk native stands at 6 foot 5 and 120kg, Salmon making 16 appearances in his two seasons with the Chiefs after joining from Rotherham.
His stint with Exeter included a start in their victorious 2018 Anglo-Welsh Cup final, where he scored a try, Salmon stating: “I’ve benefited hugely from being in the Chiefs environment.
“I’ve always viewed Newcastle as being a great team and a great set-up, and when I’ve spoken to people who’ve experienced it up there that’s exactly what they’ve said.
“The Falcons have a really good team culture which is evident whenever you watch them play, it’s an exciting move for me and I’m looking forward to getting up there.”
Scoring four tries during his time with the Chiefs, the lock-forward said: “I’ve really enjoyed my two years with Exeter and developed a huge amount during that time, but the opportunities for game time were difficult to come by.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully getting some more minutes under my belt with Newcastle – I realise that won’t be easy because they have a very competitive squad – but I’ve played up there a few times previously and I’m just keen to get started.
“The coaches and the senior players down at Exeter have really brought me on, it has been a great environment to be part of and it’s made me ready for this next challenge up at Newcastle.
“I’ve been up there as an opposition player and it’s a really tough place to go, so it will be nice to be on the home side!”
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards welcomed news of Salmon’s arrival, saying: “Toby is a useful player who has really benefited from his time down at Exeter.
“He is a solid operator who will fit in very well with the team ethic we have up here, and we look forward to him joining us for pre-season.”
Salmon becomes the Falcons’ fourth confirmed signing for next season following USA lock Greg Peterson (Bordeaux-Begles), lock Darren Barry (Worcester Warriors) and Welsh centre Gareth Owen (Leicester Tigers), with England Under-20s back-rower Josh Basham having also arrived in recent weeks.