Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw signs for Japanese club Shining Arcs.

Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw will be playing for Japan's NTT side Shining Arcs when the season starts next year.

Chiba-based Shining Arcs also announced the signings of Australian flanker Liam Gill and New Zealand hooker Anaru Rangi.

Laidlaw, now aged 34½ playing years, won 76 Test caps during a career that made him the country's second-highest scorer with 714, behind only Chris Paterson, who managed 809. Laidlaw captained Scotland in 39 of those 76 games more than any other player.

He announced his international retirement after defeat of japan at world Cup in Rugby last year . He has played his club rugby in France with Clermont since 2017, with spells in Gloucester and Edinburgh before that.

“At last year's World Cup in Japan, I was able to experience the culture and meet wonderful fans,” said Laidlaw. “Every time I've visited Japan, I've been greeted with wonderful hospitality.”

Laidlaw, Gill and Rangi join a string of top international players in Japan, headlined by New Zealand's Beauden Barrett. England blockade George Kruis announced in May that would leave Wasps to Panasonic Wild Knights .

This year's Top League has been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the 2021 season scheduled to start in January.