Ven der Merwe returns to Glasgow hoping to complete his century
Glasgow have re-signed their all-time leading try-scorer DTH van der Merwe for the Guinness Pro14 run-in.
The Canada international has moved from Newcastle with immediate effect and signed a deal until May 2020.
The winger scored 43 tries in 96 appearances in six years for Glasgow, the final one coming in their triumphant Pro12 final against Munster in 2015.
The 31-year-old, right, subsequently won the title with Scarlets, where he scored 19 tries in 41 appearances before joining Falcons last summer. Van der Merwe scored on his debut for Newcastle but only made three appearances.
He said: “I’ve been away for three years and this is like a second home to me. My first child was born here and Glasgow will always be special to me and I’m massively excited to be back. Niko (Matawalu) and Ruaridh (Jackson) have also come back this season and it speaks volumes about the club that players want to come back here.
“I thought a lot about leaving Glasgow on 96 games, that was always in the back of my mind. I just didn’t quite get to 100, but now I’ve got that opportunity.
“You probably couldn’t wipe the smile of my face, it feels good to be home. I just want to get stuck in with the boys now and hopefully finish the season on a high.” Having previously worked briefly with Warriors head coach Dave Rennie, Van der Merwe added: “I was lucky enough to work with him when I was on tour with Canada a few years ago. He came in and did a couple of weeks of training and some of the things I learned from him and some of the things he said made a lot of sense. The success he had at the Chiefs is well known and he has a very good reputation, so I’m looking forward to working with him and the other coaches.”
Rennie added: “I’ve seen DTH play a lot of footy over a number of years for Canada and I had a chance to spend a couple of weeks with them on their Autumn Tour and I was really impressed with DTH, not just with his skills but with his manner. He’s a good man and will fit in well here.”