Burrell: Will join up with Northampton at the end of the season

The 24-year-old centre has spent the past season at Sale Sharks, having previously played for Leeds Carnegie and Sedgley Park as well as rugby league for Huddersfield Giants.

The arrival of Burrell, who made his Leeds debut at 19, will go some way to off-setting the departures of James Downey and Jon Clarke.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder told the club's official site: "We've seen a lot of Luther in action against us in the past five years and think that he will fit in well to the way we like to play the game.

"He carries the ball very well and gets over the gain line. But he also has the ability to bring other players around him into the game as well, and is a strong defender.

"He will give us good depth in the squad and we're looking forward to Luther joining us in the summer."

Burrell will team up with a trio of former Leeds men at Franklin's Gardens, with Calum Clark, Scott Armstrong and James Craig having played for Carnegie.

"Having people I know there already like Calum, Scott and James obviously helped, but I'm making the move for a combination of factors," he said.

"I want to be playing inside centre and I believe the club suits the way I play. I'm a physical player and like to get teams onto the front foot.

"Obviously with James Downey leaving I know I've got big boots to fill. I've got a lot of respect for James and have played against him a number of times. But hopefully I can step in and bring something to the Saints squad."