Vainikolo, the most exciting player to be heading to Dunedin since All Black first five-eighth Nick Evans transferred in 2005, has been on Otago's radar since his star turn for the Highlanders earlier this year.
The flying Tongan was drafted by Highlanders coach Glenn Moore, starting all 13 games and leading the side with six tries.
With Vainikolo coming off contract, and Northland being axed from the Air New Zealand Cup, it always seemed possible he would sign for Otago and become available for the Highlanders.
"Fetu'u is is a very good acquisition for us," Highlanders coach Glenn Moore said yesterday.
"He had a really good Super 14, and to get him signed was particularly important for us.
"I was pretty confident that he'd succeed this year because he's got a lot of attributes that other players would love to have and he's a very good person. I think he'll be even better next year."
Highlanders and Otago chief executive Richard Reid has been working on getting Vainikolo's signature for weeks.
"Fetu'u had an excellent Super 14 with the Highlanders and we have expressed our interest in him for some time," Reid said.
"The negotiations haven't been tricky per se, but you've got to be respectful of the player's wishes and some of the stuff that's happening with Northland.
"It's exciting. He can play. He's one of the top half-dozen wingers in the country and he can create things out of nothing. He's a bit special."
The Highlanders, having lost several star players, were competitive in Moore's first season but still won only three of 13 games.
Now Otago is slumping, and few of the players are making compelling claims for Super 14 selection.
That puts pressure on Otago - and Southland - to recruit more talent and Reid has again hinted there will be news on that front in the coming weeks.
"If you attract good players, you attract other good players. Hopefully we'll have some more news in the next little while."
