The US Eagles No8 Cam Dolan, who impressed throughout a successful fall series for the team, has signed a contract with Northampton Saints.

On Monday, the English Aviva Premiership team released a statement which said: "Over the past 12 months … Dolan has emerged as one of the top prospects within the American game. A No8 who, at 6ft 6in and 16st 5lbs, packs a physical punch, Dolan has rapidly built up a reputation as a player to watch for the future."

Dolan, 23, is joining Northampton as an injury replacement dispensation signing, covering the place of James Craig, who has a serious shoulder injury. Northampton also employ the American lock or back-rower Samu Manoa.

Jim Mallinder, the Northampton director of rugby, said: "We've kept a close eye on Cam for a while and have been impressed by what we've seen. He's a player who has a lot of natural talent and the physical attributes it takes to succeed, something he showed during the autumn internationals and against the Maori.

"Although the American league is developing all the time it is a big step up to the professional environment of the Aviva Premiership and we're not expecting Cam to be the finished article immediately. It has been sad to see James Craig ruled out for a while with his shoulder injury, but it has also given us the opportunity to bring Cam in and see how he develops over the next few months."

Dolan said: "It has always been a goal of mine to play professionally, ever since I started playing rugby in high school. To be offered a contract by one of the best clubs in England is a real honour, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn, develop and contribute toward Northampton reaching their goals as well."

Dolan, who joins Northampton from Atlanta's national-champion Life University RFC, has six Eagles caps. This fall he was a try-scoring man of the match in a 29-19 non-cap defeat by the Maori All Blacks, at PPL Park in Philadelphia, before starting two wins in Europe, 25-23 over Georgia in Rustavi and 28-7 over Russia in London. Against Russia, he again scored a try.

Dolan will join four other Eagles in the English top flight. Manoa is at Northampton, the full-back or wing Chris Wyles plays for Saracens and the wing Blaine Scully plays for Leicester. The centre Andrew Suniula is currently on a short-term contract with London Wasps. Another wing, Luke Hume, was recently given a trial at Gloucester.