Jonny Green was tipped for a senior call-up earlier this year and has now joined Cardiff with immediate effect

Cardiff have signed Wales U20s second-row Jonny Green from Harlequins with immediate effect.

The 22-year-old has moved to the Arms Park on a long-term deal, providing Cardiff with depth in the position following Tuesday's announcement that George Nott will retire from professional rugby next month. Since making his Harlequins debut in 2022, Green has gone on to make 30 appearances for the Gallagher Prem club.

Green's name was mentioned in dispatches by Wales head coach Steve Tandy after naming his 48-man summer squad earlier this year, with Harlequins team-mate and flat-mate Bryn Bradley tipping him for a senior call-up.

Green will be familiar with a number of Cardiff's younger contingent, having played age-grade rugby for Wales with the likes of Steff Emanuel, Cam Winnett, Lucas de la Rua and Matty Young.

“I’m really excited to meet the boys and get stuck into training," said the 6ft 7in lock. "Cardiff is such a historic club, they play a great brand of rugby and there is an exciting group of players.

"I also know the city well having progressed through the age-grade system. I played age-grade rugby with a lot of the boys and it is great to see the opportunities they are getting at the club.

"From watching the game on Saturday night at St Helen’s, there were a lot of young players making their mark in a really good performance. So I am looking forward to moving down to Cardiff and contributing to the group.

"The main things I bring are physicality and work-rate, they are the two foundations I always review my performances against, so hopefully I can bring that to Cardiff.

“I am very grateful to Harlequins for the opportunities they have given me and I have loved my time there but I’m now looking forward to the next chapter in my career and kicking on at Cardiff.”

Born in Hayward's Heath, Green qualifies for Wales through his mother's side of the family. His father, John, captained Cardiff Met and played for Neath, Newbridge and Saracens, as well as England's age-grade teams, during his playing days.

Green was educated at Seaford College, where his father was headmaster, before progressing through Harlequins' pathway.

“We were really impressed with Jonny and the way he presented himself when we met him," said Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl “He’s a big, physical lock, standing over 6ft 7ins and there’s a nice weight to him, but the biggest thing is his rugby pedigree and his motivation.

“As with any young second-row there is stuff to work on but he has a huge appetite to improve. He has come through Harlequins academy, has played a good amount, and has been pushing for more minutes in a competitive squad.

“He can be a real asset for us in the future. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the Arms Park, seeing him settle in, go out and perform. It’s always good to bring back Welsh qualified players and we are excited to see what he can bring now and in the future.”

Earlier this year, Green's team-mate at Harlequins, Welsh centre Bradley, tipped him for a senior call-up - with Green having been close to featuring in Tandy's summer plans.

"He's similar to me in terms of that pride of wanting to play for Wales," says the centre.

"He's shown that in the U20s. I went through U20s with him and done a lot with him through that time.

"He's just a very hard-working, grinding second-row. I'm sure he'll get there as he works really hard.

"He's put in some good performances for us this year. I'm pretty good mates with him."

Former Wales tighthead Adam Jones, who has been coaching with Quins for a number of years, also spoke highly about Green earlier this year.

"Jonny was the first one to come through," said Jones when speaking about Harlequins' Welsh contingent back in September. "When Danny Wilson was coaching, he came from nowhere and did a morning session.

"You could see he's got real intense grit. He's a big, old-fashioned right-hand lock. But, like a lot of Quins players, he's got a real good skillset."