ARGENTINA prop Eduardo Bello has become Newcastle Falcons’ 11th senior signing ahead of the new season, with the Saracens tight-head joining on a two-year deal.

Bello, 27, has been capped nine times by Argentina, including November’s victory over England at Twickenham and their historic first away win over New Zealand eight months ago.

Renowned for his scrummaging prowess, Bello stands at 6ft3 and weighs in at just under 19 stone.

Spending the 2022-23 season with Gallagher Premiership champions Saracens, he was part of the Sarries squad which defeated the Falcons 29-23 in North London in February, with forwards coach Micky Ward delighted by his signature.

Ward said: “He’s an international-class tight-head who is really good in the set-piece, so it’s great news that we’ve been able to bring him in.

“As well as watching him play I’ve spoken to the Argentina scrum coach about him when he was over here recently, to some other good friends who have worked closely with him and then obviously our four Argentinean lads who know him from their national team stuff.

“All the reports came back really positively, and he does the type of stuff that we want from our tight-head.

“He’s got a good build, he’s been in a strong environment at Saracens and he’s had four seasons as a regular starter with Zebre in Italy, so he’s familiar with European conditions and how the game’s played over here.

“I just think it’s a really good signing for the club, and I’m excited to be working with lads of that calibre.”

Bello becomes the fifth Argentina international in Newcastle’s squad for next season, joining countrymen Mateo Carreras, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando and Pedro Rubiolo.

The Falcons’ latest addition forms part of a summer influx including Murray McCallum (Edinburgh), Cameron Hutchison (Edinburgh), Hugh O’Sullivan (London Irish), Tim Cardall (Melbourne Rebels), Louis Brown (Coventry), Ollie Leatherbarrow (Exeter Chiefs), Kiran McDonald (ex-Munster), Bryan Byrne (Bristol Bears), Josh Bainbridge (Coventry) and John Kelly (Doncaster Knights) under incoming head coach Alex Codling (Oyonnax), with another five players also joining the club’s senior academy.