CUMNOCK’S internationalist Mark Bennett is heading for the capital to play for Edinburgh Rugby.

The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal and will make the move along the M8 motorway when he leaves Glasgow Warriors at the end of the current season.

Scotland international centre and Olympic silver medallist Mark will feature in Edinburgh’s black and red until 2020 and is looking forward to joining up at Myreside.

He said: “A key factor in my decision was that there’s a young squad at Edinburgh, who are going in the right direction and I can feel like I can add to that.

“At 24 I think I could be one of the older boys in the Edinburgh backline, which would be a new experience for me, but one that I’m looking forward to next season.

“I’ve also worked with Duncan Hodge [coach] before as part of the Scotland set-up and I like his approach to the game as well, I think he is a very good coach and I’m looking forward to working with him again.

“The club as a whole seems to be heading in the right direction and I’m excited to be joining and contributing to the side’s progression over the next three years.”

Having made his Scotland debut in a 41-31 victory over Argentina at Murrayfield in 2014, he has been capped 19 times, racking up 17 starts.

After scoring three tries in four games in the Rugby World Cup, Mark was nominated for the 2015 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.

A year later, he was selected for the Team GB Rugby Sevens side at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and returned home with a silver medal.

Mark came up through the rugby ranks and joined home-town team Cumnock, before switching to Ayr ahead of signing his first professional deal at Warriors.

Duncan Hodge said: “We’re delighted that Mark will be joining the club ahead of next season. It is great to welcome a young, Scottish international to the club.

“He’s a phenomenal player, who has accomplished a lot both at club and international level at the age of just 24, and his experience will be a welcome addition to our backline.

“Having worked with Mark over a number of years, I know he is ambitious and motivated to develop his own game as well as providing leadership to those around him.

“This will be of huge benefit to the squad and we look forward to welcoming him here at Edinburgh.”