OLD Terringtonian Filimoni Savou has signed a two-year deal with Europe's top rugby union club Toulon.

Savou - the first player to be accepted on to Terrington Hall’s Fijian scholarship programme - will be rubbing shoulders with some of the sport's biggest names at the French outfit, who created history in May by lifting the Heineken Cup for a third successive time.

Legends such as South Africa's Bryan Habana, New Zealander Ma'a Nonu, British Lions pair Paul O'Connell and Leigh Halfpenny, Frenchman Frederic Michalak and Matt Stevens, of England, all play for Savou's new employers.

The 18-year-old North Yorkshire pupil, who is the son of former Fiji sevens player and coach Josateki Savou, also received interest from Saracens but visa problems prevented him from securing a contract with the English club.

Savou's delighted father said: "I am really happy for him. He has been out of the country for a really long time and we have been supporting him all the way.

"He has set the standards for his two younger brothers and all his hard work has paid off at this stage. My wife is overjoyed too because she knows the struggles we have been through getting his airfare across and back."

At 13, Savou was awarded a full scholarship to attend Terrington Hall Preparatory School, having been nominated by the Fiji Rugby Union on the basis of his outstanding play during the the country's under-12 victory during the 2009 test against Tonga.

Commenting on his former student's success, retired Terrington headmaster Jon Glen said: "Filimoni was the trailblazer for our Fiji scholarship programme. I am immensely proud of the part the school played in giving him the opportunity to come to England, assisted in great part by the Charters family.

"I will remember him as a modest, friendly boy, who was popular with everyone at school, a supremely-talented athlete and a formidable rugby player. I am sure he will be a success in France.

"I just hope he doesn't score the winning try for them against England in the future."

Following his time at Terrington Hall, Savou attended Shiplake College in Oxfordshire.

While there, he was drafted into Saracens' academy and played for England U17s against France last year at Broadstreet RUFC in Coventry. This year, he has represented Fiji U20s.