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Anthony, one of the leading fitness experts in world rugby, has been the New Zealand RFU's national fitness advisor and the All Blacks' fitness expert for the last four years.
The 32 year-old has been a leading light in the New Zealand rugby system for a number of seasons, including five years with the Canterbury NPC team and seven years with the Crusaders Super 12 set-up, before making his mark on the international scene including the Tri-Nations and last year's World Cup.
Commenting on www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com director of rugby Nigel Melville said: "Mike's appointment is a major signing for us. He is one of the best in the world in his field and his achievements and track-record say it all.
"We expect Mike to have a significant impact, and he could be one of our most important signings of the summer."
Anthony will arrive in the West Country in mid-June and will be heading up Melville's pre-season training camps at Hartpury College, that will see the Gloucester squad put through a gruelling eight week fitness programme in time for the start of the new Zurich Premiership campaign.
"Pre-season will be very intense and the players will be under a lot of pressure. There will be three sessions a day three times a week starting at 7am, 10am and 2pm. It will be a fitness camp like we have never had before," said Melville.
The former All Blacks fitness man brings with him a long list of winning ways, including one Bledisloe Cup triumph, two Tri-Nations titles, the Commonwealth Games Sevens gold medal, three Super 12 wins and one National Provincial Championship.
Anthony said: "My family and I are very excited about coming across. Gloucester is a team with a proud history and have always been a strong side. Everything we have heard about the Club has been very positive and it gets fantastic support.
"There is a lot of young talent in the side and they play an exciting brand of rugby. The Zurich Premiership is a tough competition so I am looking forward to assisting in preparing the team to compete in it."
Prior to rugby, the former Crusaders man was responsible for fitness assessment and training programmes at the University of Canterbury's sport science department, which saw him work with the national ski, cycling, hockey and cricket teams.
The link-up with Gloucester came about after Melville caught up with his friend and former All Blacks coach John Mitchell in April. Anthony said: "We were looking at our options in the UK and France and were very keen on joining a Premiership side. When John Mitchell was across at Gloucester earlier in the year he spoke with Nigel and things went from there."
