Mercurial playmaker Cipriani signs for Bath

Mercurial former England flyhalf Danny Cipriani signed for English Premiership side Bath on Thursday saying the club "matches my ambition".

"Danny Cipriani will join Bath Rugby in May on an extended one-year contract, to include the completion of the 2020/21 season," read a club statement.

The 33-year-old 16-times capped playmaker replaces Bath's Welsh international flyhalf Rhys Priestland, who is joining Cardiff Blues at the end of the present campaign.

Cipriani has been without a club since leaving Gloucester in December when they announced they had signed Scottish international Adam Hastings for next season.

Cipriani took time off for a break in Turkey with his  fiancé whilst assessing his next move and professed on Thursday he had a meeting of minds with the Bath hierarchy.

"I've been really focused over the past three months on improving my running efficiency and kicking, while looking for a club that matches my ambition," he said in a statement.

"After speaking with Stuart (Turner director of rugby) and Neal (Hatley head coach), it was clear that Bath offered that opportunity.

"The club has a clear ambition and drive that aligns with my own; they want to achieve something special as a team, they want to win.

"That was a very appealing vision for me."

Cipriani will join South African Tian Schoeman as an experienced flyhalf who will support Bath's developing players - in particular Orlando Bailey - to evolve their game.

"Danny's abilities are evident; his game understanding and management are exceptional as is his skill set in the backline," said Hooper.

"He has a real eye for detail around the attacking shape, I'm confident that he will bring an exciting dimension to our game."

Cipriani enjoyed a successful spell at Gloucester guiding them to the play-off semi-finals in the 2018/19 season earning him the Rugby Players Association (RPA) Players' Player of the year accolade.