LONDON Irish have announced the signing of Australian international James O’Connor.

O’Connor, who can play anywhere along the back line, has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the Madejski Stadium until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has played 44 Tests for the Wallabies and became the second-youngest player to represent Australia when he made his debut against Italy in 2008. He helped his country to third place at the 2011 World Cup and played in all three Test matches against the British and Irish Lions in the summer.

Confirming the signing of O’Connor, London Irish director of rugby, Brian Smith, said: “James is a world-class player and a terrific kid and it is fantastic to have him at London Irish.

“He will bring a huge amount of experience to our group and will fit in well to our style of play. He is fit and ready to play so the coaching group will get him up to date on everything and hopefully he’ll be ready to go this weekend.”

O’Connor has been allowed to move to England after the Australian Rugby Union terminated his contract following a string of off-field incidents, the most recent of which saw him escorted from Perth airport for drunken behaviour earlier this month.

A disciplinary investigation found he had “failed to uphold the behavioural and cultural standards expected within the team” and he was informed that he would not be offered a contract with Australia for 2014.

O’Connor said: “Having decided that I needed a change from both a personal and playing point of view, I spoke to clubs in Japan and France and concluded that the best way forward for my development was a move to England.

“Given that I’ve left my support network back in Australia, London Irish offered me an environment that I felt comfortable with.

“The club is renowned as a welcoming, family club throughout the world. It has a highly-regarded Australian director of rugby in Brian Smith and plays a style of rugby that appeals to me.

“In England and Wales, they play a very high-pressured, territory-based game. I thoroughly believe I can improve elements of my game by playing in the Aviva Premiership.”

O’Connor is expected to make his Irish debut on Sunday, when the Exiles host high-flying Northampton Saints at the Madejski Stadium (kick-off 2pm).

Irish currently sit 10th in the Premiership table after losing 13-11 away at Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.

The Exiles opened the scoring with a try from Ofisa Treviranus and while two Rory Clegg penalties put Newcastle 6-5 ahead, Irish went into the interval ahead thanks to an Ian Humphreys penalty.

A second Humphreys penalty extended the lead to five points but Adam Powell’s try levelled the scores, with Phil Godman’s conversion putting Newcastle 13-11 ahead.

Irish had a chance to snatch victory in the last minute but Shane Geraghty’s penalty from 40 metres fell short, the replacement having to rush his kick as the wind had twice knocked the ball off the kicking tee.