Billy Searle will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The fly-half will return to the Gallagher Premiership, where he previously featured for Wasps and Worcester Warriors, after three seasons in French rugby.
Born in Exeter, Searle rose through the ranks of local rugby and represented Launceston and Plymouth Albion before joining Bristol, while the Bears were part of the Championship, in 2016.
He spent two seasons with Wasps before joining Worcester ahead of the 20/21 campaign and, after the Warriors left the Premiership, Searle joined Bath on a short-term contract.
Searle joined Toulouse as cover during the 2023 Rugby World Cup before moving to Biarritiz and then ahead of the 24/25 campaign, to Agen.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, Searle said: “I am very excited to be joining such a big club in Leicester Tigers. I can’t wait to help contribute on the pitch and hopefully bring more success to the club.”
On calling Mattioli Woods Welford Road home, Searle added: “Every time I’ve played at Mattioli Woods Welford Road the atmosphere has been electric. I can’t wait to run out and play with that support on my side.”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “It is brilliant to see Billy Searle back in the Premiership, especially at Leicester Tigers.”
“His experience in the Premiership, with Wasps and Worcester, has been added to over recent seasons with stints at Toulouse, Biarritz and Agen, which has helped him develop as a player and leader. At 29, he is entering his prime years and has expressed his desire to come back and prove himself in the Premiership, where his career began.
“Billy is a player with an immense amount of skill and technical ability that adds great strength to our squad, and we are pleased to be bringing him home next season.”
