GLOUCESTER have signed Australian international prop, Salesi Ma'afu, from Guinness Pro 12 side the Cardiff Blues.

The 33-year-old, who has been capped 14 times by his country, began his rugby career as part of the New South Wales Waratahs Academy, before moving to the Brumbies where he first worked with Laurie Fisher, making his Super Rugby debut in 2007.

He made his first international appearance in 2010 against Fiji, when he found himself in the unusual situation of packing down opposite his brother, Campese, and was a member of the Wallabies squad for Rugby World Cup 2011.

He moved to the Western Force ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season before moving to England to ply his trade in the Aviva Premiership with Northampton Saints, helping the Saints to win the Premiership and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

He subsequently moved to Toulon and then on to the Cardiff Blues. Renowned for his powerful work in the set piece, Ma'afu now moves to Kingsholm with immediate effect and will provide some real scrummaging power and strength in depth up front for the Cherry and Whites.

Ma'afu has trained with his new team mates this week and will be available for selection for this weekend's European Rugby Challenge Cup fixture at home to Benetton Treviso (Saturday, kick off 3pm).