Blair, 22, has signed up with his home city club until summer 2009.

The former Sale Sharks player moved north in the summer and began the season playing for Edinburgh Accies in Premiership Division One.

However, he was soon picked up by Edinburgh head coach Andy Robinson and was promoted to the professional team's starting line-up in October.

He is competing with Scotland international Phil Godman for the number 10 shirt, and will be on the bench for Saturday’s Heineken Cup match at home to Leinster.

The younger brother of Edinburgh and Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair is delighted to be involved at Heineken Cup and Magners League level.

He said: "Once I knew I was going to leave Sale there was only one team I wanted to play for and fortunately it has happened.

"Obviously it would be perfect if I could mark the achievement with some points to help Edinburgh beat Leinster on Saturday, but we'll have to wait and see.

"I'm very happy to have signed a professional contract with Edinburgh. The move started all the way back in June when I first looked at the opportunity.

"Since then I have gained a lot from working with the national academy and my local club, Edinburgh Academicals, before being handed a contract."

Providing he is involved at some stage on Saturday, Blair will be looking to add to the 30 points he has contributed this season.

National academy manager Stephen Gemmell said of the youngster: "He developed as a player down at Sale, but he probably started to stagnate a little bit.

"So the change has come at the right time for him and I look forward to him flourishing at Edinburgh and progressing in his career."