New Zealand fly-half Daniel Carter will spend his rugby sabbatical with French Top 14 side Perpignan.
The 26-year-old made the announcement today and said bringing an end to months of speculation had been a 'big weight off the shoulders'.
He will join the French outfit at the conclusion of the All Blacks' tour of Britain and Ireland at the end of November and will return to New Zealand in June 2009 in time for the All Blacks' international season.
Carter, who has signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) until the end of 2011, had been widely tipped to join Toulon, coached by his former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, for his six-month break from New Zealand rugby.
But he revealed the fact that Perpignan were involved in the European Cup had been a decisive factor in his decision to join the Mediterranean-based club.
'Toulon would have been a great place to play. There is a real Kiwi connection there, a lot of familiar faces I know,' said Carter.
'They've moved up to the first division which is great for them. But I chose Perpignan mainly because I want to play in the European Cup which they've qualified for and, at the end of the day, that was probably one of the major reasons.
'I've played in New Zealand in the Super 14 and Tri-Nations for the last six years so to go over there and play a different style of rugby, have a different lifestyle and play in different competitions will help me.
'It was an extremely tough decision. It's been quite a process but it's all sorted now, I know my movements and at least now I can concentrate on the most important thing and that's playing well for the All Blacks in the upcoming Tri-Nations.'
Carter confirmed his NZRU contract allowed for only one sabbatical and when he returns to New Zealand in June 2009 he will resume his links with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
Perpignan reached the quarter-finals of this year's Heineken Cup, losing 20-9 to London Irish.
