Monday 16 February 2015 14:14, UK
Wasps fly-half Andy Goode will join London Irish next season.
The 34-year-old, capped 17 times by England, was offered a coaching role to remain with Wasps but he has chosen to join the Exiles in order to continue his playing career.
Goode joined Wasps from Worcester Warriors in 2013 and is the Aviva Premiership's second highest points scorer with 2,147, behind only Saracens No 10 Charlie Hodgson.
He made his name during two spells at Leicester, winning five Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups during his time at Welford Road.
Goode has also played for Saracens, French side Brive and South African Super Rugby team Sharks during a successful career, which he hopes will continue with Irish.
I love playing the game and I'm excited to be joining London Irish, which is another club with fantastic opportunities ahead, following a similar re-building process to Wasps.
"I have absolutely loved my time at Wasps and the club will always mean a lot to me," Goode told the club’s official website.
"I have huge respect for Derek Richardson, Dai Young and the coaches, as well as the players here at Wasps, and I am very grateful to Dai for offering me the opportunity to start a coaching career here.
"I love playing the game and I'm excited to be joining London Irish, which is another club with fantastic opportunities ahead, following a similar re-building process to Wasps.
"There is so much still to play for in Europe and in the Aviva Premiership and I will be putting everything I have into helping Wasps achieve our goals this season."
London Irish operations director Bob Casey was thrilled to secure Goode’s signature for the 2015/16 season.
"Andy is a top class player and one of the leading goal-kickers in the Premiership with an impressive kicking percentage,” he told their official website.
"He has a wealth of experience to offer and is also a leader. He has proven himself as one of the best fly-halves in the Premiership and we are delighted he has signed for us."
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "We would have loved for Andy to stay at Wasps in a coaching capacity next season, but we fully understand his decision to play on at London Irish, during an exciting time for that club as well."
