Dan Biggar has joined French club Toulon with immediate effect at the fly-half's request.
The Wales captain's move to France had been trailed heavily, with Biggar recently holding talks with the club over a mid-season deal. Biggar, who is missing Wales' autumn campaign through injury, had already announced he was leaving Northampton Saints at the end of the current season, but will now depart earlier than expected. The initial deal runs until the end of the season, the French club have said, but is understood to come with multi-year options after that.
Speaking about the move, Biggar revealed how the opportunity to join the three-time European champions came about quite suddenly.
SIGN UP: Get the latest rugby news sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter
“As I said on the initial announcement of my departure, it has been a privilege to play for Northampton Saints and I have loved every minute of my time at the club," he said.
“I know this is a squad which can challenge for major honours this season, so this has been a very difficult decision for me to make. I move on with a heavy heart and I am grateful to the Club for their understanding throughout the process.
“I never envisaged leaving Saints midway through the season, but this opportunity came around very quickly, and I made my decision with a long-term view in mind for my family.
“Saints is a Club which is full of great people from top to bottom, and I wish I could have played more in Black, Green and Gold over the last four seasons. I’ll really miss playing at Franklin’s Gardens and I’ll certainly be back to support the lads when I am able.”
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson called Biggar an "exceptional servant" the club, who would be missed by all at Franklin's Gardens.
“While we’re losing him earlier than expected, we respect that he has been presented with a unique long-term opportunity in France and has made a decision with the future of his family in mind, so we did not want to stand in his way," added Dowson.
“Dan is a great man, and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
Toulon's statement reveals that Biggar passed his medical with the club earlier this week, and will link up with his new team at the end of the autumn campaign - with Biggar currently in camp with Wales despite his injury.
“We are very proud of the arrival of Dan Biggar in Toulon. He is an exceptional player, who will complete our squad as an opening half," Toulon President Bernard Lemaitre told the club's website. "He can of course also play as a fullback or centre.
"Dan will bring his experience as captain of Wales to the whole team. A fine strategist, Dan Biggar is an outstanding scorer who has a very high quality kicking game.
"I would also like to thank the Northampton club and especially John White and Mark Darbon for the help they gave us in the success of this recruitment.”
READ NEXT
