THE Dragons have bolstered their midfield by signing Welsh-qualified centre Jarryd Sage from the Southern Kings.

The 22-year-old from Cape Town, whose father is Welsh, earned a shot at the new South African Guinness PRO14 outfit after impressing with the Golden Lions.

But now Sage, who came off the bench in last weekend’s encounter with Ulster, is heading for Europe on a permanent basis and will be available from December.

“I am fortunate enough to have dual citizenship – I am half-Welsh,” said Sage to Ruggaworld.com.

“A call came through from the Dragons and it aligned with the desire of many young players to play abroad – I snatched at the chance at this opportune time.

“The project [head coach] Bernard Jackman is currently involved in appealed to me and I am looking forward to the new environment.”

Sage could return home to face the Kings on the first weekend of March with the other South African side, the Cheetahs, visiting Newport the following round.

Jackman is laying the foundations in his first season at the helm and wanted to bring his new recruit in ahead of 2018/19.

Jackman said: “Jarryd is a young hardworking player that has come through excellent player development systems at Western Province and the Lions.

“He can play inside or outside centre and has the ability to play wing if needed.

"I have been tracking him since June and because he had a release clause in his contract at the Southern Kings, I felt it was better to get him into the environment immediately rather than wait until next season.”

The Dragons signed centre/wing Calvin Wellington from St Helens last week and have snapped up Wales scrum-half Rhodri Williams from Bristol for next season.

They have also secured Ospreys prospect Joe Thomas on a short-term loan for the Anglo-Welsh Cup.