France international Mathieu Bastareaud is set to become the biggest name to play club rugby in the United States after the centre announced on Sunday he will move to New York.
“I’ve decided to join New York after the World Cup,” he told Canal+ after Toulon’s Top 14 win over Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday.
“I wanted a change. It’s the best compromise for me in terms of my family life and life experience.”
Bastareaud, capped 54 times by France, had been linked with a possible move to Super Rugby and South African franchise Sharks.
But he will follow former England back Ben Foden in making the switch to the US.