KEY POINTS:
All Blacks back Nick Evans confirmed today he will head to Europe at the end of the Air New Zealand Cup rugby championship.
Evans, who plays at first five-eighth and fullback for the Blues in the Super 14, said today he had signed with England's Harlequins club until June 30, 2011.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said regular talks with Evans and his advisors had been going on since January, in an effort to retain him.
"We were definitely keen to keep him playing here in New Zealand," he said.
"While we are disappointed to lose a player and person of his calibre, we respect his decision...we wish him well over there."
Evans made his test debut against England in Dunedin in 2004 and has played 16 tests, scoring 103 points.
He also played for the New Zealand Sevens team, in 2002, and the inaugural Junior All Blacks team in 2005.
At Super 14, Evans played 32 games for the Highlanders and 10 games for the Blues this season. At provincial level, he has played for North Harbour and Otago.
- NZPA
