USA center Paul Emerick is back in the Aviva Premiership, confirming with RUGBYMag.com today that he has re-signed with London Wasps.

Emerick had to wait to sign until he had served out his suspension for the red card he received in the June 23 USA v . Italy game. Today, August 25, his suspension ends, and he will fly out to join the club early next week, and begin training once all the paperwork is completed.

The former University of Northern Iowa All American signed with Wasps last February on a short-term deal, and played sparingly for them. His big break came late in the season when he was named as starting outside center in a league game, however he pulled a hamstring in the final training before that match, and had to be scratched. 

With various other players coming back from injury, Emerick did not see any time after that.

But clearly Wasps liked what they saw in the physical, versatile American back, and asked him to come back.

This will mark the 9th season in which Emerick has been a professional rugby player, and what makes that string so remarkable is that he has done it with so many different teams. He played in Italy for Amatori Catania and Overmach Parma. He played in Wales for the Newport-Gwent Dragons, and in Ireland for Ulster. He is by far the longest-tenured professional American back.

(The record for most seasons by an American playing as a pro is probably Luke Gross, who played for 12 seasons for various clubs in the UK and Italy.)

Emerick's deal will last the entire Premiership season, which lasts until mid-May. Wasps were 6-16 last season, narrowly missing relegation.