Sunday 11 November 2018 09:56, UK
Scotland international full-back Stuart Hogg is to leave Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old has made 109 appearances (100 starts) for Glasgow Warriors since joining the club in 2010, scoring 29 tries so far and amassing 215 points.
Hogg helped Glasgow win the PRO12 in 2014/15 and became the youngest Warrior to make 100 appearances against Edinburgh at Scotstoun in May 2017.
He has now decided the time has come to prove himself elsewhere.
"This is a decision that's taken a great deal of thought as I've loved my nine seasons at Glasgow Warriors," Hogg said.
"I said I would decide my next step for family and rugby reasons and feel now is the right time to gain new rugby experiences and push myself in different situations where I will be challenged and hopefully improve further.
"I'm proud of what I have achieved with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland so far and would like to thank the club and Scottish Rugby for all their support.
"They have supported me when I had made my decision to move on and I know they did all they could and I'm grateful for their support.
"We are still less than halfway through my final season at the Warriors and, as current Conference A leaders in the Guinness PRO14 and second in our Heineken Champions Cup pool, there's a chance to do something special in my last season at the club.
"That's the send-off I want to give the club and the fans."
Hogg, who been capped 63 times by Scotland, is a two-time British and Irish Lion and won back-to-back Six Nations Player of the Championship awards in 2016 and 2017.
Glasgow Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys admits his departure is a blow for the club.
"Stuart has been a great player and ambassador for our club and we're disappointed to lose an outstanding man," Bombrys said.
"He has come through our Academy system, become a Centurion and won the PRO14 title with our club.
"He's used his time in Glasgow as a springboard to play 63 times for Scotland, earn the Six Nations Player of the Championship twice and represent the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017.
"When the time comes he'll leave with our best wishes, but until then we know Stuart has some unfinished business in Glasgow."
Glasgow Warriors head coach, Dave Rennie, added: "This is a great opportunity for Hoggy and he has our full support. He is a top man, loved by all and will be missed."
