Jon Vickers: Nottingham sign Plymouth Albion hooker

Nottingham have signed Plymouth Albion hooker Jon Vickers for next season.

The Bristol-born 24-year-old has made 28 league appearances for Albion and was named their player of the season last weekend.

He will fill the gap left by Joe Duffey, who will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season and returning to New Zealand.

Nottingham head coach Martin Haag told the club website: "Jon fits the type of player we want to push us forward."

Haag expects to make more signings in the coming weeks, despite the club's recent admission of a financial crisis.

But of his newest acquistion, he said: "He will have big shoes to fill, but Jon has shown himself to be one of the stand-out performers in the Championship this season.

"As a young lad he has room for development and at the same time has the experience we need in a vital position."

Vickers, who began his career with Northampton, moved to The Brickfields in 2011 as a dual-registered Exeter Chiefs player.

"I'm really excited to go to a club that has done so well this season and I look forward to helping them build in whatever competition they are in next season," he said.

"Nottingham is a club with a lot of ambition and this is a great opportunity for me. I hope to improve my game and step up to the next level at Meadow Lane."