The 30-year-old World Cup winner, who left Gloucester after 11 years earlier this month after failing to agree a new deal, has not played since January after undergoing a third back operation in four years.

However he has passed a medical at his new club and aims to be fully fit in time for pre-season training with the Premiership champions.

My specialist said to me there is no reason why I should retire from the game because my back is in good shape, said Vickery.

Ive come along open and honest. Ive not tried to trick anyobody. Ive tried to do everything the Wasps boys have asked of me and they are as excited as me about the future Ive got at the club.

I just want to go out and play like I know I can play. I think the Wasps style of play will suit me. I think I can offer a lot on the field and offer a lot off the field as well.

Wasps physio Roger Knibbs insists signing Vickery is not a gamble.

Having undertaken a full medical we are extremely confident that Phil will return to full fitness and make a huge contribution to the success of the Wasps squad, he said.

Vickerys injury problems brought a premature end to his long career with Gloucester. The west country club wanted to renegotiate his contract and spread the risk more evenly between Vickery and themselves.

But Vickery believes the time was also right for a change of scenery.

I spent 11 years at Gloucester and it has been a fantastic place for me. It has been somewhere that has been my life as well as my rugby, he said.

But I think there comes a point in everyones career when you need to look for new challenges. As far as moving to club that has got ambition, you cant get any better than Wasps.

Wasps have been short on top-class front-row experience since Craig Dowd retired and Will Green moved to Leinster.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: Im delighted to get such a quality player with the experience he has as a World Cup winner and he will add a lot to our forward play - particularly our scrummaging.