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'The salary cap is really easy' - Bristol coach Lam says the Bears are 'way below' after signing Radradra

By Online Editors

27 Nov 2019

Semi Radradra could feature for Bristol Bears in European competition. (Photos/Gettys Images)

Bristol Bears have made another statement signing by announcing the recruitment of Fijian superstar Semi Radradra from Bordeaux Begles for next season.

The dynamic centre-wing is reportedly joining the club on a £500,000 per year deal according to Sportsmail, and will fit comfortably under the cap as a marquee player exemption.

After adding the former world’s highest-paid player last year in Charles Piutau, big-spending Bristol also seduced England Number 8 Nathan Hughes from Wasps. Adding Radradra to the ranks continues to solidify Bristol’s standing in the Premiership after earning promotion ahead of last season.

‘The salary cap is really easy,” explained head coach Pat Lam.

“We’re way below the salary cap. We have a guy we answer to.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5YewvNA3cG/

“The first thing I did here was sit down with salary-cap manager Andrew Rodgers and my CEO Mark Tainton and went through everything.

“I haven’t spent any more money than my predecessors.”

Even with Charles Piutau coming off contract next season, Lam was confident that the club would be able to keep the former All Black around. The club has a limit of £7m to spend on this season, with two exempt players available under ‘marquee player’ rules.

Lam claims the club is ‘way below’ the cap ceiling, which will allow Bristol to stay active in the recruitment market and potentially more high-profile signings to follow.

“I go nowhere near that line. We’re way below it, that’s the exciting thing about it.”

The news of Radradra’s signing garnered immediate praise online and generated quite some excitement among Premiership fans and prominent figures.

https://twitter.com/neilfissler/status/1199660902091382784

Radradra is in every news feed.
Congratulations tovats @SemiRadradra varau kakabasubasu neitou backline qo?
— TexCavubati (@TCavubati) November 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/RyanKisiel/status/1199740067113324547

Semi Radradra has joined Bristol RI, quite possibly the most exciting player to grace these shores, in rugby union, since Lomu
— Michael Keating (@MikeNearLeigh) November 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/1199636162312331264

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