Newcastle Falcons complete deal for Cheetahs' Corne Uys

Uys scored a try for the Cheetahs against the British and Irish Lions in their 2009 tour game at Bloemfontein

Newcastle Falcons have signed centre Corne Uys from Super 15 outfit Free State Cheetahs.

The 29-year-old had been waiting on paperwork prior to his switch to the Premiership, and will now be available for Saturday's trip to Wasps.

"I've always had this dream to come and play in England," the former Currie Cup player told BBC Newcastle.

"I had a full go in South Africa, and felt I had to play until I felt the time was right, and it feels right."

Uys joins a Falcons side still waiting for their first win in the Premiership this season following four defeats in as many games, although the three-quarter is confident of improvement at Kingston Park.

"I believe there's a bright future, in the time I've spent here there's some really talented guys," Uys added.

"I've definitely been in those sort of situations before - with the Cheetahs last year we lost our first four games in the Super 15, and then we went overseas and got our first win in Australia against the Waratahs.

"Sometimes you just need to keep your head down, keep working and keep doing what you're doing."

Uys is the third South African player in Alan Tait's squad in addition to Greg Goosen and Ashley Wells.