Monday 2 November 2015 15:21, UK
Northampton have signed France No 8 Louis Picamoles on a three-year contract.
The 29-year-old, who has 51 international caps and had an outstanding World Cup campaign, will join Saints when his Toulouse deal is up next summer.
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Louis is a world-class player and a proven performer at the highest level of club and international rugby.
"He was France's standout performer at the World Cup and we're excited by the prospect of him linking up with the quality players we have here already.
"He's still young and we believe that his best years are still to come. When we met it was clear that he has the drive and ambition to improve and be successful, and we're delighted that he will be doing that here with us at Franklin's Gardens."
Picamoles said: "It is going to be an honour to become part of a club as prestigious as the Saints.
"I'm really looking forward to learn more about the club, my future team-mates, to play in the Aviva Premiership and to immerse myself in the English culture, especially my first big derby against Leicester!"
