FORMER Worcester Warriors centre Andy Symons says he’s “pretty excited” to be joining Aviva Premiership rivals Gloucester.

The 24-year-old has called Gloucester “a big club with lots of history” and says Kingsholm is “an amazing place to play”.

Symons had signed a two-year deal at London Irish but was free to pursue other options after the Exiles were relegated to the Championship.

He admitted: “It's been a bit of a strange situation to be in.

“It's disappointing that Irish were relegated, but I'm absolutely delighted that everything has now been sorted out and that I'll be joining Gloucester this summer.

"The opportunity to go to Kingsholm and play for the Cherry and Whites is awesome and I am pretty excited about that. I'm really looking forward to it now."

Symons played 51 first-team matches for Warriors, totalling 183 points, after joining from New Zealand outfit Tasman Makos in November 2013.

He suffered cruciate ligament damage in the lead-up to Warriors’ Championship play-off semi-final second leg against London Scottish in May 2015.

He was sent for specialist treatment to a cutting-edge rehabilitation centre in Denver, USA, where he met Gloucester’s Henry Trinder, who was also recovering from injury.

Trinder, 27, is expected to undergo surgery on what is understood to be a knee ligament problem sustained away to Sale Sharks in April.

Symons played against Gloucester three times last season, making a comeback after his long-term injury against the Cherry and Whites in the European Challenge Cup.  

"During my time with Worcester, I had the chance to play at Kingsholm a couple of times and (Kingsholm) it's just amazing, an amazing place to play,” said Symons.

“It'll be quite nice to have the supporters on my side rather than the other way around.

"It's a big club with lots of history and it's something that I'm really excited to be part of.

“I'm looking forward to meeting the boys, I know that Hartpury is a great training facility, I can't wait to get started really."

The Gloucester back line was injury ravaged last season, particularly in the second half of the season.

A number of players will be back and ready for preseason training and Symons knows that he'll have to fight for game time.

"Competition for places is key and there are some incredibly talented guys already in that Gloucester back line already, and a good pack as well,” said Symons.

“So I'm taking nothing for granted. I'll have to work hard and earn my opportunities.

"If I do get an opportunity, I'm going to do my best to try and take it with both hands, to stick to doing what I do best and do what I can to contribute to the overall team effort."