FORMER Newport Gwent Dragons wing/centre Adam Hughes has penned a deal with Aviva Premiership outfit Exeter.

The 24-year-old left Rodney Parade at the start of the year to join Bristol on a short-term deal and scored a try in their playoff defeat to London Welsh last night.

Hughes made 80 appearances for the region after his 2010 debut, scored 15 tries and was named Argus Player of the Year for his efforts in 2010/11.

Now the Newport-born back will be linking up with fellow ex-Dragons Phil Dollman and Matt Jess in the upwardly mobile Chiefs, who won the LV= Cup last season.

“It’s a great move for me and one that I am very much looking forward to,” said Hughes.

“I came down in January, I had a good look around the place and had a good chat with the coaches after which it didn’t take very long for me to make up my mind.

“The Chiefs have done really well ever since they got into the Premiership and this year they obviously won a trophy as well, so it’s clear they are a club that are on the up.

“Also I’ve also spoken to a few people about the club itself and all I’ve heard is good things, so it will be good to get down there and be part of it all.”

“I’ve had a few years in the Pro12 and come up against some great teams and some very good players, but this is a challenge I was quite keen to take on,” added Hughes.

“Everybody watches the Premiership and the quality across the board is right up there, so I think it will definitely be good to test myself in that environment.

"Being at Bristol for these last few months has set me up nicely, but now I can’t wait to get stuck into pre-season and going from there.”