Saturday 25 November 2017 15:39, UK
Dan Carter will leave Racing 92 for Japanese club Kobelco Steelers at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old, who wants to be closer to his native New Zealand, is reported to have agreed a two-year contract with the Steelers.
"It's been a very tough decision, to leave my new friends and all my team-mates and go play for Kobe Steel," said the All Blacks legend in an interview with Canal Plus.
"But Japan is a very exciting place to be right now, and an exciting place to play.
"It's also only one flight away from New Zealand and the way the Japanese season is structured means I and my family will be able to spend much more time in New Zealand.
"Rugby is going crazy in Japan and this is a very exciting challenge."
Carter's move will help raise the profile of the sport in Japan before the country host the 2019 World Cup but he has only played four times so far this season due to various niggling injuries.
"Now that my mind is made up I'm determined to get over this knee injury because we want to win the Top 14 and we want to win in Europe too," he said.
"I hope to be playing again soon."
Now 35, the two-time World Cup winner joined Racing in 2015 and won the Top 14 in his debut season.
Scotland international Finn Russell is reportedly set to replace Carter at Racing after announcing he will leave Glasgow at the end of the season.
