Powell completes Wasps' recruitment ahead of the new season, signing an initial one year contract, and the powerful back-row forward brings with him a wealth of experience after five years with Cardiff Blues as well as previous stints with Beziers, Leicester and Newport.

The highly rated Powell is renowned for his uncompromising style of play - with his direct running and pure physicality. Having represented Wales at U21 and A team level, he burst into the Wales senior side in 2008 against South Africa winning a man of the match award on his debut. Since then he has been a mainstay in the Welsh team, winning 14 caps. His selection for the Lions in 2009 was reward for his fine form that season.

Overcoming injury and adversity throughout his career Powell has shown his strength of character and passion for the game and a move from Cardiff to Wasps, a club with a proven history in nurturing and producing international talents, reiterates his commitment to playing rugby at the highest level.

On the news, Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks said, "We are delighted to announce that Andy Powell, a hugely talented and highly regarded international back-row forward, joins Wasps ahead of the new season. Andy makes his move from Cardiff based on his desire to drive both his club and international career and whilst his rugby ability is obvious, the Wasps coaching team have all warmed to Andy immediately and are impressed by his drive and enthusiasm to relocate to London and join Wasps.

"Andy is the first high profile Welsh signing at the club since Rob Howley and we are confident he will benefit from the environment and 'Wasps way' in a similar fashion and become a favourite with the Wasps faithful. He will be a welcome addition to the squad and is held in high regard by people in the game that we at Wasps trust and respect - none more so than Wasps' Lions players who played alongside him and forged friendships with him in South Africa in 2009.

"This is a good fit for both Andy and Wasps - we want to give him the platform, on the back of good club performances, to play at the highest level possible and Andy is committed to developing his game and ensuring success for Wasps in 2010/11."

On joining Wasps Powell said, "I am extremely excited to be joining London Wasps. My decision was a pure rugby decision. After all the talk and speculation about where I will be playing, all I want to do now is get my head down, improve as a player and hopefully if selected, play in the World Cup next year for my country.

"To do that I need to be playing well for my club, and I think with the coaching team and setup here at Wasps, I will have the perfect opportunity to do that. I know Shaun Edwards well of course from my time with the Welsh team, and I took little persuading once I met with Tony Hanks and Trevor Woodman about how serious this team is about success and winning.

"Wasps have pulled together a great squad, with some great coaches and I think this is an environment in which I will thrive as a player and I hope to do my part to help bring success and trophies to Wasps."