NEW Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has signed a six-month deal with French club Perpignan after receiving permission to spend a season in Europe.
Carter will join Perpignan in December at the completion of New Zealand's tour of the northern hemisphere and remain in France until next June.
The 26-year-old will miss next year's Super 14 competition but will be available to play for the All B
lacks in 2009 after getting a special exemption from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to take a "sabbatical".
The NZRU had previously banned players from national selection if they went overseas but has had to soften their approach because of a mass exodus of internationals to the lucrative European competitions.
Carter, a former International Rugby Board player of the year, will remain in New Zealand after returning from France to help the All Blacks prepare for the 2011 World Cup at home.
"I would like to thank the NZRU for offering me this unique opportunity," Carter said.
"The All Black jersey is no-one's by right and I fully appreciate that I will have to continue to play well and prove myself if I am to be involved with the All Blacks next year and beyond.
"The 2011 Rugby World Cup is going to be a phenomenal event and my priority has always been to be available to take part in that."
Carter, who is already New Zealand's highest points scorer in Tests, also considered an offer from Toulon, where his former skipper Tana Umaga is coach.
The full article contains 260 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
