FORMER Musselburgh Rugby Club back-row forward Ally Miller is “excited” for the future, after signing a professional deal at Edinburgh Rugby.

Miller, from Longniddry, agreed a two-year deal earlier this month, after spending the season on loan at English Championship side London Scottish.

Miller made 15 appearances for the Exiles, before he was called into the Scotland 7s squad, where he has won four caps on the HSBC World Series – in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The former Scotland U20 forward, who is equally at home at number eight or on the flank, said: “Coming through the [BT Sport Scottish Rugby] Academy system and being a local boy, signing for the club was always a goal of mine.

“My time at London Scottish has helped me massively. Immersing myself in a professional environment and competing in a tough league has really brought my game on.

“Edinburgh seem to be going in the right direction and I’m excited to work with a talented group. “

The East Lothian star, who won 18 caps for the under-20s, is hoping to build on the successes of his peers, including Scotland internationalist Magnus Bradbury and Jamie Ritchie, who joined Edinburgh straight from school as a 17-year-old.

“A lot of my peers – Jamie, Magnus and the likes – have been given a chance at the club and have really shown what they’re about, so I’m hoping I can do the same”, Miller said.

“Signing a fully pro-deal is the next step-up in my career, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Duncan Hodge, Edinburgh Rugby’s acting head coach, added: “We’ve been tracking Ally for a while now, and feel that his time as part of the BT Sport Academy and at London Scottish has served him well.

“He’s a mobile back-row and his style of play suits our attacking mind-set, so we’re excited to see what he has to offer at the club.

“It’s also great to be adding another young, Scottish talent to the squad, where he’s joined by a number of his national age-grade colleagues in the likes of Jamie and Magnus in the back-row.”

The 21-year-old will replace Super Rugby winner Nasi Manu among the club’s back-row ranks, after Edinburgh announced last week that the former Highlanders co-captain is to join Benetton Treviso in the summer.