Saints fly-half Hooley agrees to join Exeter Chiefs

Will Hooley will join Exeter in the summer after agreeing a deal until 2017 (picture: Sharon Lucey)

The 21-year-old is a former England Under-20 international and has played seven times for Northampton this season.

“He ticks a lot of the boxes for us. He’s the right age to be developing another 10, he’s got a very good skill set,” said Exeter boss Rob Baxter.

“The timing is good for both of us. Will’s probably ready for a new challenge and we’re ready to bring a young fly-half into the club.”

Hooley will vie with Henry Slade and Gareth Steenson for the number 10 jersey next season.

“Will’s not come here to be third choice,” said Baxter.

“One of the nice characteristics about him is that he wants to come here and become the number one.

“He’s aware we have two very good fly-halves here under contract and he has his work cut out, but the fact that he wants to come here and he wants to work very hard to break into that.”