Ben Foden agrees to join new Major League Rugby side Rugby United New York after leaving Northampton Saints

Former England international will join New York for their inaugural season in MLR

Ben Foden has agreed to join MLR side Rugby United New York (Getty)

Former England full-back Ben Foden has become the biggest overseas name to move to the United States after agreeing to join Rugby United New York, with his aim to help develop the country into “the next big rugby playing nation”.

Fresh from hosting the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco last weekend, the US is gearing up for a second season of Major League Rugby after its inaugural success this year. Having featured seven teams last season, the league is due to expand to nine for the 2019 edition, with New York making up one of those new sides.

As part of their preparations, New York have announced the signing of 33-year-old Foden, who won 34 caps for England between 2009 and 2013 and has more than 250 appearances for Northampton Saints over a 10-year career at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining MLR next season with Rugby United New York,” Foden said in a statement. “It’s a new franchise in the most exciting city in the world. After my experience playing in the English Premiership for 14 seasons, the opportunity to broaden horizons, in both a playing sense, as well as taking a step into the coaching role, seems like the right move.”

Foden helped Northampton to the Premiership title in 2014, scoring a try in the final victory over Saracens, but along with his family he has decided that the time is right for a fresh start in a new country.

With the full-back, who can also play on the wing or even at scrum-half, set to take up one of New York’s five allocated overseas players, it remains to be seen who else makes the move across the Atlantic to ply their trade in MLR.

Foden left Northampton Saints after a decade at Franklin's Gardens (Getty)

“I fully believe America to be the next big rugby playing nation and can’t wait to help develop young talent through the professional ranks,” Foden added. “My family and I have always wanted to venture over across the pond to America, and now have the opportunity, which we look forward to seizing with both hands.”

The Independent understands that current Leicester Tigers fly-half Joe Ford, older brother of England international George, is on New York’s radar and could be offered the chance to join Foden next year, while the other teams set to join the league next season come in the form of Los Angeles Coast Rugby and Ontario Arrows – who will be the lone Canadian team in the league from January 2019.