Rugby: All Black prospect off to Wales

Hurricanes forward Michael Paterson has signed a three-year deal with Welsh club Cardiff Blues. Photo / Getty Images

Welsh club Cardiff Blues have signed Hurricanes rugby forward Michael Paterson on a three-year deal.

Lock/blindside flanker Paterson, 25, joins New Zealanders Casey Laulala, Ben Blair and Paul Tito at the Blues.

Paterson told Fairfax media he was looking forward to linking up with the New Zealand players at the club.

A three-year deal allowed the Blues to regard him as a Welsh-qualified player in waiting, so his presence will not break the non-Welsh qualified players' quota agreed between Wales' regions and the Welsh Rugby Union.

The Canterbury forward would not rule out a return, but said he was ready to try something new.

He had some communication with the All Blacks selectors, he told NewstalkZB.

He had to make a decision on what was best for him and he believed the time is right to head offshore, despite giving away the chance to play for the All Blacks.

Paterson said he would love to play for the All Blacks at some point but he could also play for England, the country of his grandfather's birth, although that was not something he was seriously considering at present.

- NZPA