KEY POINTS:
Perpignan have emerged from left field to secure the services of Daniel Carter after the All Blacks rugby star today ended speculation about his lucrative ground-breaking playing sabbatical in France.
While the south of France was always his preferred option for the six-month stint abroad included in his New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) contract extension, Carter was consistently linked to Tana Umaga's newly promoted Toulon or Biarittz.
Instead the premier pivot has opted for their Top 14 rivals Perpignan - another glamour club near the Mediterranean - for an undisclosed sum.
Carter will join Perpignan after the All Blacks end of year tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland concludes with the test against England at Twickenham on November 29.
He will miss next year's Super 14 tournament but return in June with an eye to retaining his position for the All Blacks early season internationals - despite having played practically non-stop for 18 months.
Perpignan's coup ends months of conjecture about Carter's sabbatical - a component that has also been included in captain Richie McCaw's updated NZRU deal.
Carter discussed the possibility of joining Toulon - where Umaga is coach - but Perpignan's involvement in next season's Heineken Cup tipped the balance.
"I have done plenty of research on both Toulon and Perpignan and whilst I have no doubt that I would have enjoyed Toulon, in the end, Perpignan's qualification for next year's European Cup swayed my decision," Carter said.
"If I'm going to play rugby in Europe I want to test myself against the best Europe can offer and I am excited about the challenges both the Top 14 and the European Cup will bring."
A key component of the All Blacks unbeaten start to a busy 2008 schedule, Carter said the challenge of testing himself in another rugby environment prompted his desire to play on France though he would miss the Crusaders.
"Obviously there is also some disappointment at not being able to be part of the Crusaders next year and that was probably the hardest part of my decision, particularly given how well the boys finished the season and the excitement around the new coaching structures next year," he said, suggesting he would be back in 2010.
Carter added he did not expect to be automatically be reselected for the All Blacks.
"The All Black jersey is no one's by right and I fully appreciate that I will have to continue to play well and prove myself if I am to be involved with the All Blacks next year and beyond."
Meanwhile, Greg Bramwell, the managing director of the All Blacks apparel sponsor adidas, said there were no contractual problems despite Carter being aligned to the brand - while Perpignan wear Puma.
"We have been kept fully aware of Dan's intentions from the moment the NZRU offered the chance of an overseas sabbatical," Bramwell said.
"We have always been very supportive of him taking this opportunity and reports that we were in any way trying to prevent or impose any conditions on the deal are simply not true."
Toulon still have Andrew Mehrtens on their books while the acquisition of recently-retired All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins may compensate for missing out on Carter.
- NZPA
