USA scrumhalf Ruben de Haas is going to be signing with English club Saracens in the summer.

Saracens has a long history of working with USA players, including Chris Wyles, Hayden Smith, and Titi Lamositele. De Haas, who played his high school rugby with the Little Rock Junior Stormers and was first capped while only 19, has been playing with the Cheetahs in South Africa. The explosive #9, who scored the winning try against Canada during the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship, is still developing as a pro and will sign a two-year deal with Sarries this summer.

De Haas captained the High School All Americans as a high-schooler, and his play with that team helped him sign with the Cheethas Academy when he was 17. He has played for the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and PRO14, although mostly as a reserve. He has been capped 17 times by the USA and has scored five tries in those games, including three against Canada.

 “When I heard I had the opportunity to come to Saracens, it was a no-brainer,” De Haas said in the team's announcement. “With the success Saracens have had over the past decade, and the team and family culture they have, it was a pretty easy decision for me. I’m really looking forward to the journey coming up.”

Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “We have been monitoring Ruben’s progress over the last few seasons and are really excited by his potential, his ambition and drive. He is a young player with a bright future and we look forward to welcoming him to the club.”

Saracens was relegated from the Gallagher Premiership after the 2019-2020 season because the team had violated the league salary cap. Sarries had a winning record that season but were docked sufficient points to finish a distant 12th. This year, the Gallagher Premiership has said it will not relegate any team, but it will promote the RFU Championship winner. The Championship season starts March 6, and Saracens are favorites to win it.