Gonzalo Bertranou’s Dragons career is over after the Argentina scrum half moved on loan to Cardiff for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old Pumas international will play for the Blue and Blacks in the five-game United Rugby Championship run-in.
With his Dragons contract expiring this summer, that effectively ends his time at Rodney Parade.
The first-choice duo of Rhodri Williams and Dane Blacker are both going to be with the club next season while promising 9s Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, who have been in fine form for Newport and Pontypool in the Premiership, have signed fresh terms ahead of pushing into the senior frame in 2024/25.
That means that head coach Dai Flanagan has allowed Bertranou, who made just two appearances this season because of the World Cup and then a series of injuries, to head to the capital.
If Williams or Blacker is injured then the Dragons will turn to Hope, who made a lively cameo at Glasgow in February, or Lloyd, who has been included as a travelling reserve recently.
Meanwhile, Bertranou has a chance to catch the eye of clubs or possibly earn a stay at Cardiff, who are losing Wales international Tomos Williams to Gloucester next season.
The Pumas international made a total of 30 appearances over four seasons with the Dragons but just six of those have been in the last two campaigns.
Bertranou will aim to finish 2023/24 with a flourish for Cardiff, who have had centre Max Clark on loan from the Dragons all season.
Blue and Blacks head coach, Matt Sherratt said: “It was important that we brought in some further quality at scrum-half following the injury to Tomos Williams and the departure of Jamie Hill.
“Gonzalo certainly fits that bill. He brings real quality, experience and professionalism in the position.
“He has more than 50 caps for Argentina, has captained them and is highly motivated to put in some big performances in Blue and Black. He’s trained today and we’re looking forward to seeing how he progresses here.”
The Dragons are next in action at Benetton on April 20, their last game of the season outside of Wales.
They then host Connacht and the Stormers, travel to Swansea to face the Ospreys and take on the Scarlets at Cardiff City Stadium as the first part of the Judgement Day double-header.
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