Former Hurricanes speedster Nehe Milner-Skudder will join the Highlanders through to the end of the 2021 season.
Milner-Skudder was set to join French club Toulon at the end of the 2019 season but a shoulder injury scuppered that deal.
With a number of injuries to their outside backs, the Highlanders had an opening on their roster for Milner-Skudder.
As uncertainty still surrounds the ability to travel internationally in coming months, the electric winger signed on for the 2021 campaign as well.
Milner-Skudder will continue to work on recovering from his shoulder injury in the hopes of featuring for the Highlanders in he Super Rugby Aotearoa, to start next month.
We are excited to welcome Nehe and Hanna to the Highlanders family. A player of Nehe’s calibre and his level of professionalism is going to add great value to the team.”
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said Milner-Skudder would be a good fit for the team.
"This was a great opportunity to include a player with his experience into our squad," he said.
"His style of play suits the way the Highlanders play the game, especially under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and we look forward to welcoming him into the team.”
Milner-Skudder said he was excited about the move to a new franchise.
“I've heard some unreal things about the Club and the culture at the Highlanders. I'm really looking forward to the move to Dunedin and embracing everything it has to offer," he said.
"I'mexcited for this new opportunity and can't wait to get into some mahi with the boys and lace up the boots for the Highlanders."
Milner-Skudder's signing follows news from the Crusaders camp that All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock would be available for them in the new competition.
Whitelock had been signed to play in Japan this season, as part of a sabbatical deal, but his Japanese contract has expired in the wake of the cancellation of the Top League season.
