Kyle Sinckler will be a Bristol player next season having confirmed his sensational switch to the big-spending Bears next season from Harlequins.

It was in November that Sportsmail revealed Quins were struggling to keep Sinckler.

And in December we reported the England tight-head prop, 26, will sign a huge deal worth £500,000 per year – making him one of the country’s most expensive forwards.

Kyle Sinckler (centre) will be joining Bristol from Harlequins next season on a huge deal

The impressive 26-year-old prop will be paid £500,000 per year at his new club

On Monday, Bristol announced he has agreed to move west on a two-year deal.

Sinckler, who has won 31 England caps to date and starred on the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand, is Bristol’s second box-office addition for next year.

They also will have Fijian sensation Semi Radradra on similar money, joining a star-studded cast which includes Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua and Nathan Hughes.

As they have a plethora of players plucked from other clubs where they were unfancied, though, they have managed so far to stay under the £7million-a-year salary cap.

On the huge move Sinckler said: ‘The opportunity to come to Bristol and play under Pat Lam was one that I couldn’t turn down.

‘The Bears are an ambitious club on the up and it was great to visit the city and the facilities that they have. There’s a clear plan in place for long-term success and I’m looking forward to contributing.

‘I’m grateful to Harlequins for everything they have done for me and my career. I’d like to thank the coaches, fans and my team-mates for all their support over the years.’

For Harlequins losing Sinckler – who has been at the club since he was 12 – is an enormous blow.

By the end, having created a home-grown superstar, Quins could not afford to keep the tight-head, whose contract runs out this summer.

Bristol will now have Sinckler on their books until at least 2022, and revealed they will be keeping All Black John Afoa, 36, for another year too.

Director of rugby Lam said: ‘Kyle is an outstanding player and it’s fantastic to bring someone of his international calibre to the Bears.

Sinckler starred for England during their sensational run to the World Cup final last year

Pat Lam thinks Sinckler is coming into his prime and is looking forward to working with him

‘He’s coming into his peak years as a front rower and has a wealth of experience at the very highest level. What really pleases us is Kyle’s attitude; he’s excited about coming to Bristol and being part of our journey.

‘A key part of our vision is developing our home-grown contingent to become England internationals. Kyle can set the example of what it takes for a young player to succeed at the highest level.

‘With John Afoa committing for another season and Kyle coming on-board for two, it’ll strengthen the depth of such a key position with two world class players as we plan to fulfil our Champions Cup ambitions.’

Sinckler has made 146 appearances for Harlequins since making his professional debut in September 2011 and is part of England’s current Six Nations squad.