The Ospreys are losing Fijian World Cup centre Josh Matavesi to Newcastle Falcons this summer and have moved quickly to recruit the four-times capped Allen from their regional rivals. The 24-year-old has scored 12 tries in 56 games for the Blues since graduating from their academy system.
He won age-group caps at Under 18 and Under 20 level, played or Wales Sevens and scored a World Cup hat-trick against Uruguay in 2015. Unfortunately, he was injured in that game and missed the rest of the tournament.
Allen will be hoping to help the Blues win the Challenge Cup for the second time this season having played in four of their pool matches that saw them earn a quarter-final trip to Gloucester Rugby in April.
“Ever since I met with Steve Tandy and the coaches to talk about the possibility there was only ever going to be one place I wanted to play rugby next season. The Ospreys are playing some great rugby this year and, personally, I can’t wait to be a part of the squad next season,” said Allen.
“You look at where the Ospreys are at the moment, they are in a good place as a team and competing on two fronts, with a great style of rugby. There’s a young squad and the prospect of competing next season with some of the quality centres already there is an exciting one.
“That’s another big reason for me signing. When you look at their record for developing players it’s pretty impressive by any standards and that includes boys that they sign from other regions or clubs.
“Everyone who goes there seems to improve as a player, it’s what the Ospreys are best at. The focus is always on development and improvement, whoever you are. You never stop looking to improve and being at the Ospreys can help me do that.
“I’m still young with, hopefully, a long career ahead of me. I still have Wales ambitions having had a taste of it, I want to be playing in big PRO12 and European games and I think the Ospreys is the best place for me to do that.”
The Ospreys were beaten for the first time since October last weekend when they lost to Munster in an epic top-of-the-table clash with Munster at the Liberty Stadium. They are due to host Stade Francais Paris in their Challenge Cup quarter-final having become the first team in European club rugby history to earn a maximum 30 points in their pool.
