A fierce scrummager, Somerville can play as a loose-head or a tight-head and has 59 caps for New Zealand.

Cherry and Whites coach Dean Ryan hailed the signing of the 30-year-old, who will play out the remainder of his current side’s domestic season before arriving at Kingsholm.

“The market is now making players of Greg’s experience, calibre and undoubted expertise available and once we appreciated his interest and desire to add significantly to our squad, we were thrilled to sign him,” Ryan told gloucesterrugby.co.uk.

“To have represented the All Blacks in more than 50 Test matches and be versatile to operate on either side of the scrum, means he is an outstanding acquisition for us at this stage of his career.

“With the likes of Christian Califano and Patrice Collazo leaving the club, we needed an option that could benefit us long-term and we have managed to combine experience, versatility and expertise in one package and that is fantastic for the club.”

Somerville added: “I have achieved virtually everything possible in New Zealand rugby and to have represented the All Blacks will always be something very special to me.

“But this opportunity has developed and the chance to experience a new culture for myself and my family, and contribute to a side that is already right at the top of the English Premiership was an exciting opportunity to take up.

“I am looking forward to contributing to Dean Ryan’s side and prove myself in different conditions and against different opponents. Gloucester’s front row options are already very talented and I am looking forward to adding to that mix next season.”