The 32-year-old former Bristol and Harlequins back will play out the rest of his contract with Munster before joining Tigers ahead of the 2007 Premiership campaign.

Capped 13 times by Ireland - most recently in 2003 - he is relishing the chance to make his mark once more in England.

This is a fantastic opportunity for me. Leicester is a huge club with huge traditions and Im really excited about being back in the Premiership. When a club like Leicester expresses an interest, you dont have to think about it, he said.

Burke will team up with fellow Irish players Geordan Murphy, Shane Jennings and Leo Cullen at Welford Road, plus Leicester captain Martin Corry, who is a former Bristol team-mate, and his one-time Harlequins colleague Scott Bemand.

Hopefully that will help me settle in easier and the transition wont be that hard for me, he said.

They will know the way I play.