Another All Black is heading overseas with Hosea Gear announcing today he has signed with French club side Toulouse.
The Highlanders and 14-test winger will leave for France at the end of the Super 15 season.
Gear is the fifth All Black to announce their departure this year with ReneRanger (France), Richard Kahui (Japan), Lelia Masaga (Japan) and Tamati Ellison (Japan) all leaving New Zealand shores at the end of the Super 15.
Former All Black loose forward Adam Thomson also signed a two year deal with Japanese side the Canon Eagles at the start of the year.
Gear has been an important part of the All Blacks set-up in the past 12 months, making six starts last year. He made his test debut against Australia in 2008 with six of his 14 tests being Bledisloe Cup clashes. His has scored six tries for New Zealand.
Gear is in the 38-man training squad for the three test series against France which begins next week with the first test at Eden Park. The squad will be reduced to 31 players on Sunday.
