Wales superstar fly-half Dan Biggar has overtaken Owen Farrell to become one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world.
The 33-year-old made the last of his 69 Northampton appearances in their league win against Wasps in early October.
“I never envisaged leaving Saints midway through the season, but this opportunity came around very quickly,” Biggar said.
“I made my decision with a long-term view in mind for my family.”
Saints’ Chief Executive, Mark Darbon, added: “Given the circumstances – with Dan’s contract ending at the end of the season, his availability for the rest of the current campaign, the multi-year offer to Dan from Toulon which was contingent on him moving immediately, and the quality of the up-and-coming fly-halves already at the Club – we wanted to be pragmatic when Dan approached us.
“Dan’s not just a world-class player, he’s also one of the nicest blokes you could meet. He’s someone who always did everything he could to help the Club, on and off the pitch. So, we’ll miss him, but he departs with our very best wishes.”
Dan Biggar facts:
- Biggar has twice been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions (2017 & 2021)
- On 7 December 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award
- Biggar came through the Ospreys development pathway, having attended Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea
- The fly-half has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call “The Biggarena” after Los Del Rio’s 1995 hit, Macarena
Eight highest-paid rugby players 2022
#7=. Owen Farrell (Saracens) – £750k
The England skipper is heading into the final year of his contract at Saracens and is reported to be earning a substantial amount of money on his current deal with a number of unknown bonuses thought to be included.
#9=. Michael Hooper (Toyota Verblitz) – £750k
Last season he took a sabbatical in Japan and is reported to have been earning £750,000 with Toyota Verblitz.
#6. Beauden Barrett (Suntory Sungoliath) – £780k
On his year out in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath last year, the Daily Mail reports Barrett earned £780,000.
