Ireland international and Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion will bring the curtain down on a distinguished career at the Sportsground after it was confirmed he will depart at the end of the season, for English Premiership club Bristol Bears.
The 31-year-old, who made his Connacht debut in 2012 and is third in all-time appearances for the club behind John Muldoon and Michael Swift, will make his exit once his contract expires in the summer.
With 224 appearances to his name over the course of 11 seasons, Marmion has been a long-serving figure at the club, and a central figure in the memorable 2016 campaign that ended with Connacht landing the Pro12 title.
The 28-cap international was a regular in Irish squads under Joe Schmidt, and was the starting scrum-half in November 2018 when Ireland claimed a first-ever home win over New Zealand.
Bristol director of Rugby, Pat Lam, who coached Marmion for four years during his time in charge of Connacht is delighted to be working with him again.
Lam said: "Once Andy Uren had requested an early release, we began the search for a possible replacement – someone with experience who would be the right fit for our team.
"I'm really pleased to be able to bring in Kieran Marmion - an international scrum half with vast experience who will bring huge value to us on and off the field.
"Having worked closely with him in the past, I know he is exactly the perfect replacement to fill the void following the release of Andy to Benetton Treviso at the end of the season."
Marmion added: "I’m really excited to have the opportunity to represent the Bristol Bears on and off the field.
"I’ve followed them closely over the last few years and I’m really looking forward to working with Pat again and being part of the exciting brand of rugby that the Bears look to play."
"It's been a really tough decision for me to leave Connacht Rugby. The people of Connacht have been so welcoming to me ever since I moved over and I’ve been honoured to call the place home for the past 12 years.
Connacht Director of Rugby Andy Friend paid tribute to Marmion's contribution at the Sportsground.
"We are obviously very disappointed to see him go, but we fully appreciate that he has to do what he feels is right for him and his career over the next few years.
"He will rightly go down as one of the all-time great players for this province"
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