Wasps have signed Leeds captain Marco Wentzel in an astonishing coup. The 32-year-old has spent the last four seasons in the Premiership, the first two of them with Leicester before moving to Headingley in 2009.

“It was a hard decision for me to leave Leeds,” said Wentzel.

“But, on the other hand I am really looking forward to join a club with a proud history like Wasps.”

Wentzel is the second player to leave West Yorkshire for west London, following the lead of England hooker Steve Thompson, whose move was announced on 2 May before Leeds’ relegation was confirmed.