Fly-half Anscombe was man of the match in Wales’ Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam deciding win over Ireland last month as he kicked 20 points.
He will play his regional rugby with the Ospreys from next season after opting to leave the Blues, the team the 27-year-old has played for since arriving from New Zealand in 2014.
“I’m delighted to have secured my future to play professional rugby in Wales and to be joining the Ospreys. I am very happy to finally be able to put pen to paper during what’s been an unsettling time and commit to staying in Wales,” Anscombe said.
“I know a lot of the boys from my time with the Wales team and they can’t speak highly enough of the spirit and ambition within the region which really excites me.
“I’ve been impressed with the vision and the long-term goals of the coaches and region as a whole and I would like to thank them for supporting my dream to continue playing pro rugby in Wales and, if I am playing well enough, to play for my country.”
Anscombe has had a fine year in the red jersey of Wales, working well with Dan Biggar as fly-half options for head coach Warren Gatland to consider.
“I would like to thank everyone at the Blues for the last five years of continuous support,” he said.
“They have an incredible team of people working behind the scenes to help the boys, along with some of the best supporters around. I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for me since arriving from New Zealand.
“Thanks also to a great group of boys playing at the club who welcomed me and made me feel at home from the start. I will continue to do my best for the team until the end of the season and I will leave with many happy memories of my time with the Blues.”
Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke welcomed Anscombe’s arrival.
He added: “Gareth is a player I’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted he has committed his future to the Ospreys. It’s not just a statement of intent, it’s adding another player of current international quality to our squad for next season, the number one player in Wales in his position.
“He’s worked closely with Matt Sherratt previously and I know that Gareth is looking forward to linking up with him again both in terms of the challenge and quality development of his game. Gareth will also add his undoubted positional and game breaking X-factor attributes to our backline and team attack. I have no doubt his drive and talent will contribute to the quality we already possess within the squad and he will become a fans favourite.
“This is a significant announcement, a signing which shows how ambitious we are to re-establish ourselves as a leading team in the Guinness PRO14.”
Anscombe is the first new face confirmed at the Ospreys for 2019/20 while new deals for Dan Evans, Cory Allen and Luke Morgan have already been announced.
