The Highlanders have added their last player to their 2023 Super Rugby Pacific squad with the signing of Argentinian, Martin Bogado.
Argentina flag Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 24-year-old winger/fullback is currently with Michael Cheika's Los Pumas on their UK and European tour.
In July he had two outings for an Argentinian XV against Portugal and Georgia and has been playing in the French Top 14 competition for Bayonne.
He is yet to play a full international.
He is not the first Argentinian to further his rugby ambitions by playing Super Rugby, Pumas Captain Pablo Matera played for the Crusaders in 2022.
Bogado is looking forward to the rugby and life experience.
"I am extremely excited to be joining the Highlanders. To have the opportunity to play Super Rugby in New Zealand and to represent such a prestigious team is a dream for me.
The move to New Zealand represents a fantastic challenge, and one I had to accept.
New Zealand's rugby culture and the New Zealand culture in general is something I greatly admire and I'm sure that this experience will help me to grow on and off the field. I want to continue improving as a player and become the very best I can be. I have no doubt the Highlanders is the perfect place to achieve this.
I want to thank the coaching staff, club management and everyone at Highlanders for showing faith in me. I will be giving everything for the club, my new team-mates, and the fans."
Head Coach, Clarke Dermody, has also welcomed the arrival.
"We were looking for someone to complement our current group of outside backs and Martin fits the bill perfectly. His physical attributes and ability to compete in the air will be of benefit to us.
He is very keen to come out and try a new environment and to further his game. He is clearly talented having already picked up a few games for an Argentinian XV and we believe he is an exciting prospect for us and the future."
Bogado has signed a two-year deal and will join the team early in the New Year.
