Rugby
ESPN staff 6y

Dan Carter 'sad' to leave Racing, excited for Japanese adventure

Rugby, Top 14 Orange

All Blacks legend Dan Carter has confirmed he will leave Racing 92 to join Japanese side Kobe Steelers at the end of the season.

Carter has spent the past two years in Paris, and helped Racing to the Top 14 title in 2016.

He will link up in Japan with former New Zealand teammate Andy Ellis, and he revealed his relationship with the scrum-half helped influence his decision.

The fly-half also stated that the opportunity to move to closer to his family was a significant factor when agreeing to the move.

"It's a little bit sad," Carter said in a video released by Racing. "The last couple of years here at Racing have been amazing, but for once I've had to put my family first and it saddens me to think that I'll be leaving Racing at the end of the year and taking up a contract to play in Japan. 

"It's sad to leave my Racing family but [it's] also an exciting opportunity for me, a completely new challenge playing in a new competition and also the effects of being able to spend a lot more time back home in New Zealand as well.

"It's so much closer and also the Japanese season structure means I can get a lot more time at home. It's close to the family, which was a big part of the decision."

The Steelers finished fourth in the Japanese Top League last season, and also boast ex-Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper in their back division.

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