Melrose back James King signs for Edinburgh

King, 24, was born in Berwick, played for Scotland at age-grade levels and came through to the pro level with the Borders. When the Reivers were disbanded in 2007 he left for Italy and L'Aquila, but returned after a year and has impressed in the last two seasons at Melrose. King has signed a one-year deal.

Rob Moffat, the Edinburgh coach, said: "We are looking at James to play midfield, most probably at 12. He is a ball-player and we've signed him because of the quality of his performances in the club game. He's the sort of player we want in midfield – a ball player."

Denton, 20, has agreed a two-year deal after impressing with the SRU's national academy. He played for Edinburgh Accies in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division 1 this season and was part of the Scotland under-20 squad alongside Watsonians' No 8 Stuart McInally, who has also recently signed for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh have also given new deals to Andrew Kelly and Fraser McKenzie, the hooker for two years and flanker/lock McKenzie a one-year contract.