The long-awaited deal to take Nathan McAvoy to Saracens has finally been signed.

The former Bulls centre can at last complete his code switch but will not start actually start a game for the Zurich Premiership side for four months as he learns to adapt to the more complicated code.

McAvoy (pictured), who was axed from the Bulls' Grand Final side, will link up with former Bradford coach Darrel Shelford, now the assistant coach at Vicarage Road.

"It's always been an ambition of mine to play union and I'm thrilled to have joined such a great club as Saracens," said McAvoy, whose contract expired with the Bulls at the end of last season.

"I must admit that if you'd have told me 12 months ago that in a year's time I'd be playing for one the best teams in the Zurich Premiership and be part of the England rugby union seven-a-side squad, I'd have said you were mad. But here I am and I can't wait to get started."

Part of the 26-year-old's apprenticeship will also see him play for that England sevens side in the IRB Sevens tournament held in Brisbane on February 1 and 2.

McAvoy, whose brothers are all keen union players, appeared for the Bulls during their historic Middlesex sevens triumph last August.

He left the Bulls in October after failing to agreement personal terms over a new contract.