Nathan Hughes made a surprise admission about his future after playing his final game for Bristol Bears on Saturday.
The number eight was thought to be joining French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne after calling time on his three-year spell at Ashton Gate, but instead the Fiji-born England international is heading to the Far East, without naming which club he will be joining.
"I’m going to Japan," he revealed to PRTV after Bears' 42-19 defeat at Sale Sharks on the final day of the Gallagher Premiership campaign.
"(It is) closer to home, closer to the kids and I feel my time in the Premiership has come to an end. It’s been huge progress in my career, coming from New Zealand to where I am now. At 31, hopefully I can get a few games under my belt."
The popularity of the game is booming in Japan after reaching the quarter-finals of their home World Cup in 2019, with South Africa star Faf De Klerk among the big-name players making the lucrative move this summer. The Springbok star will play for Yokohama Canon Eagles after leaving Sale.
Hughes, a 22-cap England international, scored two consolation tries as a second-half replacement in his final outing for the Bears, finishing with more than 50 appearances for the club.
He played more than 100 times for Wasps from 2013-19 and had a brief but highly successful loan spell with Bath earlier this season.
"It’s been a pleasure playing in the Premiership, one of the toughest competitions in the world," he added. "I’ve had nine years of playing in the Premiership and every game has been a tough one, especially here at the AJ Bell – always a hard place to play.
"But I’ve loved every moment in my Wasps career and here (Bristol). Signing off with two tries, I’m gutted we didn’t get the win but it’s been a pleasure."
