Saracens announce Stevens deal

England international Matt Stevens is set to relaunch his rugby career with Saracens in 2011.

The former Bath prop, who is currently serving a two-year drugs ban from the sport, will join the Guinness Premiership club on completion of his suspension in just under 12 months' time.

Saracens rugby director Brendan Venter has described the recruitment of Stevens as "a massively significant signing" for the club.

Stevens, 27, resigned from Bath last March. He had a four-year deal with the west country club believed to be worth around £1million.

Since his suspension was imposed, 32 times-capped Stevens - a member of the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour squad to New Zealand - has put his efforts into running a coffee shop business in Bath, along with former England and Bath colleague Lee Mears.

Stevens said: "I am looking forward to launching the next phase of my rugby career at Saracens in January next year.

"I have many great memories and friends in Bath, but there is something special happening at Saracens and I am very eager to be part of it."

Saracens are currently in contention for the Premiership title, having been transformed under the direction of Venter who, like Stevens, was born in South Africa.

Saracens say Stevens will not train with their squad or be integrated within the club in any way until his ban has expired.

Stevens made a tearful confession about his drugs shame in a television interview last year, but always maintained he wanted to return to top-flight rugby.