Craig Gilroy has revealed his intentions to play rugby abroad after announcing he is to leave Ulster at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has made 211 appearances for the province since making his debut in 2010.
He was crowned Ulster's player of the year in 2015 and has also earned 10 caps for Ireland, but now a new challenge awaits the winger.
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Gilroy says he 'lived out my dream' playing for his home province for 13 years, and voiced his "immense sense of pride" at playing in the famous Ulster jersey.
"I have so much to be thankful for and will treasure the many amazing memories created at this club," he said.
"As a young kid it was my dream to be a professional rugby player and to represent my home province. That dream became a reality not once, but over 200 times.
"I have so many emotions looking back over the last 13 years, my whole adult life has been at Ulster and it's hard to put it into words.
"I feel an immense sense of pride, I feel sad that it's coming to an end, but so incredibly happy that it happened.
"The journey is hopefully not over just yet as I hope to finish this current season strong and thereafter look to play my rugby abroad and experience another club and culture."
Gilroy - who scored five international tries playing for Ireland between 2012 and 2017 - has found his game time limited this season.
The winger has made just six appearances during 2022/23, but it is the entirety of his career at Ravenhill that will be fondly remembered.
It is that longevity and loyalty that Gilroy says turned Ulster into "the club I call home".
He added: "For my 13 seasons at Ulster Rugby, so many people to thank from staff to the players for their help, advice and expertise and the friendships forged. To the fans, you have been amazing, thank you.
"Thank you especially to my parents and my siblings who supported me through everything from a young age and to my friends who enjoyed the journey with me. The euphoria of scoring a try at the Kingspan Stadium and the walk back to my wing hearing the crowd is something I will miss and be hard to replicate!
"To my partner Melissa, thank you for your unwavering support and for giving me the best gift in life and my proudest achievement in our daughter Madison, without you I could not continue this path in professional sport.
"For Madison to watch me play live and holding her on the pitch is something I will cherish forever, and although she won't remember it I look forward to telling her in the future.
"I got to travel the world, play with and against many of my heroes, and live out my dream at the club I call home, and for that I will be forever grateful."
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