The Queensland Reds have signed Wallabies legend George Smith on a two year deal.

Smith will join the Reds for the 2017 and 2018 Super Rugby seasons, while also playing for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan’s Top League. Smith made his Super Rugby debut back in 2000.

The 35-year old will bring significant experience to the Reds’ ranks, having played 142 games of Super Rugby and 111 Tests for Australia.

“George is one of the greats of the modern game. He is still one of the best number sevens in the world on current form and just took out the Rugby Players Association Players Player award in England and helped lift Wasps to an English Premiership semi-final this season,” Reds General Manager Daniel Herbert said.

“George will be the best possible mentor to our young group and our emerging back-rowers. We’re looking forward to what he can offer our program both on and off the field. We are grateful to Suntory Sungoliath for their understanding and support.”

Smith played 142 Super Rugby matches for the Brumbies and 111 Tests for the Wallabies before heading overseas in 2010, where he continued to star for a handful of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Although his international future is unknown, Smith said he was looking forward to returning to Super Rugby and joining his new teammates at Ballymore.

“The body feels great and the experience in England has been outstanding. I’m really looking forward to playing Super Rugby again. I want to make a positive difference wherever I go and I feel I can do this with the Reds,” he said.

“My family and I are relocating to Brisbane for the long term and so the opportunity to make a very strong contribution to the Queensland Reds and also the broader Queensland community is something we are really excited about as a family.

“They are building a really strong playing list and I believe I can make a big impression.”