Dean Ryan believes new arrival Carlos Spencer can give Gloucester an extra edge should they reach the Guinness Premiership play-offs.

The Kingsholm head coach dropped a sizeable hint that the signing of the former New Zealand fly-half had been in response to the club's high-profile big-game failures over the past few seasons.

Ryan bolstered his squad yesterday ahead of the Premiership title run-in by signing the 33-year-old on a contract until the end of next season.

Spencer, who made 35 appearances for the All Blacks, left Northampton by mutual consent last week, having lost the No 10 shirt there to Stephen Myler.

He will compete with Ryan Lamb, Willie Walker and Olly Barkley for the shirt at Kingsholm, although all three – as proved by Lamb's outing at scrum-half in the weekend victory over London Irish – can play in other positions behind the scrum.

And Ryan said: "It's a great coup for us. Understandably, given his quality, experience and availability, there were a number of clubs keen to sign him and I am delighted we have got there first.

"Carlos will give us something a little bit different – a mystique and an ability to function at the highest possible level.

"He has huge international experience with the All Blacks and we believe he will be a great asset should we progress into the knockout stages of competitions later in the season. I am delighted that such an outstanding professional has agreed to join us."

Ryan raged against his players following their 16-12 Heineken Cup pool defeat against Cardiff Blues last month – and hinted that he could make personnel changes.

Spencer's surprise mid-season availability has allowed him to recruit earlier than he would have expected, but proves the Gloucester boss means business as he aims to deliver a first league title to the club.

Spencer has long been regarded as one of the most creative and entertaining fly-halves in world rugby and he arrives at Kingsholm with Gloucester sitting on top of the Premiership.

"I left Northampton with a ton of great memories – the club were fantastic and the supporters always treated me in a way I will never forget," said Spencer.

"Everything has happened pretty quickly over the last few days but the opportunity to stay in the Guinness Premiership and join a club as talented and ambitious as Gloucester is a rare one so I am thrilled.

"Gloucester have been at the forefront of the game in England for a number of years but the excitement of the challenge is driven by trying to help them take that last extra step and become winners.

"That is what excites me – I am joining a club that is genuinely challenging for the top honours around and I want to give it everything I can to help make them even more successful.

"They are a great team, with strong competition for places and I hope that I can play my way in and contribute fully to the end of the season push for honours."

Spencer, who spent 11 years with Auckland, joins a Kiwi contingent at Gloucester which also includes Walker and prop Greg Somerville, while Tonga-born winger Lesley Vainikolo was raised in New Zealand.