French star Mathieu Bastareaud is set to become the biggest name to play club rugby in the United States after the centre announced that he will move to New York after this year’s World Cup.
The 30-year-old will join New York Rugby United in Major League Rugby for one season on loan, before returning to his current club Toulon for the final season of his contract.
With the US looking to boost rugby in the country, they are hoping that Bastereaud’s move can pave the way for more stars to come over.
Of the switch, Bastereaud says: “I’ve decided to join New York after the World Cup. I wanted a change. It’s the best compromise for me in terms of my family life and life experience.”
Bastareaud, capped 54 times by France, had been linked with a possible move to the Sharks.