Connacht have announced the signing of second row Bernie Upton from North Harbour in New Zealand.

Bernie Upton has signed a two-year contract and will join Connacht in the summer.

A former Super 14 player with the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, Upton also played for the Junior All Blacks.

Connacht team manager Tim Allnutt said that the 27-year-old Upton was a significant signing for the province.

"We are working towards finalising our squad for next season and the acquisition of Bernie Upton is a big boost," Allnutt said.