Northampton Saints have signed Italian international tight-head prop Ion Neculai from Zebre Parma ahead of the 2026/27 season, the club officially announced on 3 August.

The 25-year-old joins the English Premiership side after five seasons with Zebre, where he made 51 appearances. A tight-head prop anchors the right side of the scrum — the position where the heavy pushing happens — and Neculai arrives with a reputation for relishing exactly that sort of work.

Saints' director of rugby Phil Dowson described him as "a very physical prop who enjoys the tough side of the game" (Northampton Saints).

Neculai has four senior Italy caps. His most recent came off the bench in Perth during Italy's 57-10 defeat to Australia in the Nations Championship (BBC Sport).

He told the club he was "very excited" about the move, citing the quality of coaching, facilities and the players around him as major factors in his decision (Northampton Chronicle). He has already joined his new team-mates for pre-season training, having linked up with the squad last week (BBC Sport).

Neculai is not the only arrival from Zebre at Franklin's Gardens this summer. Former Parma team-mate Malik Faissal also made the switch, giving the Saints dressing room a ready-made Italian connection that should ease the settling-in period for both players.

For Northampton, the signing addresses a position where depth matters more than most. Tight-head props are always in short supply and high demand — they carry the scrum's heaviest load, and a single injury in that slot can derail a side's set-piece for weeks. Adding a 25-year-old with international experience and 50-plus appearances in a competitive European league gives Dowson options he will be glad to have when the season's fixtures start stacking up.

Neculai's Italy career is still in its early stages, but regular Premiership rugby at a club of Saints' stature will give him a platform to push for more Azzurri caps. Italy's player pool has deepened noticeably in recent years, and a strong season in England would keep him in the frame for national selection.

The Saints kick off their 2026/27 Premiership campaign looking to build on a competitive core, and Neculai's addition strengthens a front row that every coach knows is the foundation of any serious side.