NSW Waratahs forward Dean Mumm will leave the Super Rugby franchise at the end of the season after signing a two-year deal with English club Exeter.

The 28-year-old, who has won 31 caps for the Wallabies, will move to the Chiefs after being targeted as a key recruit by head coach Rob Baxter.

“He’s a very good signing for us and a very good player,” said Baxter.

“We’ve been watching him since the start of the Super 15 season and, not only is he a back-five forward coming into his physical prime, he’s also vastly experienced and a good leader.

“We’ve looked a lot at him and we believe he has got a lot of ingredients that we want him to bring to the club.

“Personally, I think it’s a great credit to what the players have achieved this season – and where we are as a club right now – that a guy of that standing wants to come and play his rugby here in Exeter.”

Despite being the Waratahs’ vice-captain under Phil Waugh for two seasons, new coach Michael Foley left Mumm out of an eight-man leadership group at the start of 2012 to try to help him recapture top form.

Mumm missed selection in Australia’s 30-man World Cup squad at the end of last season despite being regarded as a versatile option who could play in the back-row or at lock.

The New Zealand-born forward made his debut for the Waratahs in 2004, playing his first Super Rugby match three years later against the Lions.

Mumm is the fourth new arrival confirmed by the Chiefs for next season, where he’ll join Doncaster duo Alex Brown and Jack Yeandle, as well as Ulster’s Ian Whitten in moving to Sandy Park this summer.