The 24-year-old will leave the Guinness Premiership club at the end of the season having only joined them from Leicester last summer.

The Belfast-born forward, who grew up in Glenrothes, becomes head coach Andy Robinson’s fourth recruit of 2009.

Young said: “I’ve been away from Scotland since I was 19 – I had a few years at Leicester and a season at Gloucester – and I felt moving back and playing for Edinburgh was the right choice.

“I’ve worked with Andy Robinson and Rob Moffat before with Scotland A and I was really impressed by both of them.

“Edinburgh are moving in the right direction. They have got a young squad who are full of ambition.

“I just want to be a part of that and I think Edinburgh is the right environment for me to come on as a player.

“I’m still a young tighthead and now I want to challenge for a place in the Edinburgh team.

“I realise the importance of playing week in, week out in front of the national selectors and that played a part in my decision.

“I have aspirations and ambitions to get capped at Test level and, if I can take my opportunity, then Edinburgh will provide the right platform for me to achieve my career goals.”

Robinson said: “I’ve worked with David before with Scotland A and he really impressed me.

“He is a young player with a lot of potential and, if he continues to work hard and develop, looks set to have a bright future with Edinburgh.

“If young players work hard enough and are determined to improve then they will be given a chance.”