GLOUCESTER captain Jim Hamilton admits he will move to France in the summer to take up the 'opportunity of a lifetime'.
The Cherry and Whites have confirmed their skipper will leave Kingsholm at the end of the season, despite having an extra year to run on his existing Gloucester contract.
Gloucester have not disclosed the destination, but as revealed in The Citizen last week, Hamilton is understood to be heading to Montpellier on a three-year deal.
The French Top 14 side have agreed to pay compensation to Gloucester to buy Hamilton out of the final year of his Kingsholm contract.
Scotland engine room enforcer Hamilton explained he felt this latest offer from France was impossible to ignore.
The 30-year-old said: "The time I've spent at Gloucester has been the best of my career. It's been an honour and a privilege to wear the Cherry and White shirt, to represent the city and the supporters and, of course, to captain the side.
"However, the offer from France is simply the opportunity of a lifetime and one that I just couldn't ignore. It's a great move for myself and for my family. I hope that everyone will understand that.
"Nigel Davies and the club have been terrific about it, and I can't thank them enough for that.
"When the time comes, I will leave Gloucester with a heavy heart. I have made friends for life here, it's been a special place to play my rugby and I wouldn't have left to join another English club side.
"And, of course, I will be putting in 100% every time I wear the Gloucester shirt from now until the end of the season.
"I am fully committed to this season being one of real success for Gloucester Rugby and hope to bow out on a high."
Gloucester rugby director Nigel Davies conceded the Cherry and Whites were never able to compete with the stunning offer on the table from across The Channel.
Davies explained: "It's a fact of life in the modern game that the French sides currently have much bigger playing budgets than their English counterparts.
"Jim is a fine player, an experienced international and has been a big part of what we've achieved so far this season at Gloucester Rugby.
"However, the offer is significant, and it would be wrong of us to try and stand in Jim's way. It's a massive opportunity for him. We don't want to lose him and he's aware of that.
"We're not the first team to lose a player this way, we won't be the last."
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