Leicester Tigers have announced the arrival of three new players ahead of their 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Back rowers Hanro Leibenberg and Jordan Coghlan join from Super Rugby outfit the Bulls and Championship side Nottingham respectively. While EW Viljoen comes into the side from the Stormers.

23-year-old Leibenberg is able to play across the back row and has plenty of experience having represented the Bulls in the Currie Cup and also captaining the South African U20’s at the World Junior Championships.

The South African is delighted to be joining Leicester and is looking forward to life in the Premiership.

“The opportunity to play in the Premiership is one I am very excited about and to do it at a club of Leicester’s tradition and standing is a huge honour. The Tigers fans are well known around the world as some of the best in rugby and I am looking forward to playing at Welford Road in front of them, alongside my new team-mates,” he said.

Head coach Geordan Murphy noted the experience and leadership skills Leibenberg possesses despite his age.

“Hanro is an aggressive ball-carrier and a physical player around the field, in the best traditions of South African back-row players. He has gained a good level of experience already for a 23-year-old and has good leadership qualities too. His best years in the game should still be ahead of him and we look forward to welcoming him for next season,” he said.

Meanwhile fellow back rower Coghlan, who has spent time with both Leinster and Munster previously paid tribute to the club’s history when discussing his decision to move.

“This is Leicester Tigers – the most successful club in English history. For me, to be part of that is a huge honour. Geordan Murphy is working hard to build something special here and get Tigers back to the top of the Premiership, where they belong, and I’m happy to be a part of that. I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in,” he said.

Murphy is glad to have another experienced player on board and is looking forward to working with the 26-year-old Irishman.

“Jordan is a physical, athletic and experienced player who we are looking forward to welcoming into the club. His junior career speaks for itself and achievements in Ireland as a young man has served him well in his career. He is an exciting talent and he has earned his spot with impressive showings for Nottingham over recent seasons,” he said.

Viljoen, who has played Currie Cup rugby for the Western Province as well as also representing the Springboks at the U20’s Junior World Championships believes that there is nowhere better for him than Welford Road.

“The chance to represent a club like Leicester Tigers is one I could not pass up and I’m very excited about the challenge of playing in Premiership rugby. I want to play my role and make a contribution to getting Tigers back to where a club of their history and tradition belongs, which I believe Geordan Murphy is building towards. It’s an exciting chance to experience northern-hemisphere rugby and I can’t think of a better place to be able to do that than Welford Road,” he said.

Murphy is also excited to have the 24-year-old in his ranks and thinks that he will provide more depth in the squad.

“EW is a versatile, skilful and exciting player to have as part of our group. He has an impressive resumé for a young man and, at only 24, it’s encouraging to know he still has plenty of improvement left in him. He adds a lot to our outside-back stocks and provides valuable depth in the squad,” he said.

Leicester are looking to bounce-back next season following a poor showing in the Premiership last year which saw the, narrowly avoid relegation and with signings like these they can only improve.