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Cardiff Blues are set to pull off a major coup by signing departing Ospreys prop Dmitri Arhip.

The Moldovan international was expected to join French club Montpellier in a big money deal.

But that move has fallen through and the Blues have now swooped in for the 29-year-old tighthead.

It's a real statement of intent from the Arms Park outfit who have just won the European Challenge Cup and will be returning to the Champions Cup next season after a four year absence.

Arhip is renowned as a strong scrummager and also contributes mightily in the loose with his carrying and tackling.

He joined the Ospreys in 2012 and made 91 appearances for the region in all, with his reputation steadily growing in stature.

His performances made him hot property and the expectation was he would be joining Montpellier in a hugely lucrative £500,000-a-year deal.

(Image: Adrian White)

But while a pre-contract was signed, the move wasn't completed and fell by the wayside, with the French club now reported to be bringing in Georgian Test prop Levan Chilachava from Toulon.

That has enabled the Blues to step in and make a real landmark signing.

It will give them impressive strength on the tight-head, where the 20-cap Arhip will be competing with Dillon Lewis, who is having such a fine summer tour with Wales.

They also have Georgian Anton Peikrishvili, Welsh international Scott Andrews and youngsters Keiron Assiratti and Will Davies-King on the books, giving them plenty of options.

The Blues have not announced any signings for next season up to now, but the recruitment of Arhip will come as a major boost to fans.

New coach John Mulvihill is also planning to bring in a second row, a No 8 and a back three player.