Cardiff Blues are set to make another significant signing by recruiting powerhouse international forward Samu Manoa.

The 33-year-old USA Eagles star, who can play at both No 8 and lock, is lined up to come on board from Toulon.

He has been with the French giants since 2015 having previously had a four-year spell at Northampton, where he made a huge impact.

In 2014, he was described by ESPNscrum as “perhaps the finest No 8 playing the game in the northern hemisphere”, such was the impression he made at Franklin’s Gardens.

At 6ft 7ins and 20st, he is a massive physical presence and one of the most effective ball-carriers in the game.

He would provide a further powerful option for the Blues at No 8, alongside last season’s Player of the Year Nick Williams, with versatile Welsh internationals Josh Navidi and Josh Turnbull providing additional cover in the position.

Manoa is also able to pack down in the second row, which is an area the Challenge Cup winners have been looking to bolster.

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It was at lock that he made his three Test appearances for the USA this summer, in the victories over Russia, Scotland and Canada.

The Blues have been on the trail of the 21-cap Californian for some time and are now close to sealing the deal.

He has been linked with other clubs, including Perpignan, but Cardiff appears his likeliest destination.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Paperwork just needs to be finalised and WRU approval secured in terms of the region staying within their overseas player quota.

He would be the latest in a series of recent new arrivals at the Blues, who have signed former Ospreys prop Dmitri Arhip, Edinburgh winger Jason Harries and brought Welsh international lock Rory Thornton in on a year-long loan from the Ospreys.

Welsh-qualified South African full-back Carl Meyer and young hooker Liam Belcher are also set to come on board from the Dragons.

It’s a recruitment drive made possible by an increase in the playing budget, which is going up from around £5m to £6m for next season.

This coincides with advanced negotiations over a replacement for the Rugby Services Agreement between the WRU and the four regions, which will usher in a new funding model.

The signing of Manoa would be a further statement of intent by the Blues, who are back in the Champions Cup after a four year absence.

Born in Concord, California, he took up rugby at the age of 13, going on to make his mark in the senior ranks with San Francisco Golden Gate RFC and winning his first cap for the USA against Georgia in November 2010.

Then, the following year, he joined Northampton, proving an instant hit with his ball skills, pace and physicality.

He was named the Supporters’ Player of the Year in successive seasons and shortlisted for Premiership Player of the Year in 2013-14, when he helped Saints claim the league title.

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His outstanding club form earned him a couple of outings for the Barbarians and then, in 2015, after 122 appearances for Northampton, he was signed up by then reigning European champions Toulon.

Now, after three years and 50 games in France, it looks as though he is heading for Wales.