Gloucester Rugby have signed Crusaders scrum-half Willi Heinz for next season.

The 28-year-old has made over 50 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders since 2010.

Heinz will compete with Greig Laidlaw and Callum Braley for the scrum-half position at Gloucester.

"We've been speaking to him for quite some time now and I know that he's genuinely excited to be joining us," director of rugby David Humphreys told the club's official website.

"I think he's going to play a very key role over the next few years, not just in terms of how he plays but how he brings the best out of the people around him."

Gloucester return to action on Sunday when they travel to Wasps in the Aviva Premiership.