SCOTLAND OUT-HALF Finn Russell has accepted a ‘lucrative opportunity’ from a European club believed to be Racing 92 and will leave Glasgow Warriors at the end of this season.
The Guinness Pro14 club this evening announced that Russell, the 25-year-old Lion, has been offered a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ and will end his five-year association with the Warriors next summer.
Early reports suggest he will join Top 14 outfit Racing, who are also believed to be in the running for Simon Zebo’s signature.
“Our club has an excellent track record of retaining our key players in recent years. However, in this instance Finn has decided to move on and accept a lucrative opportunity at another club,” Glasgow Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys said.
“We respect his decision and when the time comes we will thank him for his contribution to the club. It has been great watching him develop and grow wearing a Glasgow Warriors shirt.
“We know he will be fully focused on trying to bring another trophy to Glasgow Warriors this season.”
After coming through the Scottish Rugby Academy, Russell quickly established himself as Glasgow’s first-choice 10 and was an integral part of the 2015 Pro12 title-winning side.
Russell, who was a late call up to Warren Gatland’s Lions squad during the summer, won his 31st cap for Scotland during Saturday’s agonising defeat to the All Blacks at Murrayfield.
“I’ve really enjoyed my five years at Glasgow Warriors,” he said.
“I would like to thank every player, coach and member of the backroom staff for making it so special.
“During my time at the club I’ve really developed as a player and I’ve been called up to the Scotland and British & Irish Lions squads.
“I’ve shared so many fantastic moments with people who are now friends for life and to do it in front of the amazing Glasgow Warriors supporters at Scotstoun has been a dream come true.
“I’ve always wanted to experience as much as I can during what is a short rugby career. It was obviously a difficult decision to leave Glasgow, but I have the opportunity to take myself out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture and type of rugby.
“However, I am fully focussed on Glasgow Warriors and will do everything I can to make my final season at Scotstoun a successful one.”
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Nice knock out but he’s a fu#king idiot
He acts like a tool in the cage, he was on the MMA hour and I was expecting more of the same but he was actually really sound. That said it did predate the Pokemon stunt
Paul, is the Alex Reid that fought last night the same guy that was married to the page three girl Jordan? If it was I can’t believe he’s still fighting.
It is, Gary. His first fight in about four years or so.
Cheers Paul.
has to have been some pent up anger issues there :)
You mean improved on it with an awesome pokemon refrence
Too many macho men around here with no sense of humour it seems
I feel like that this morning
Ouch.
He’s had 6 Bellator fights without a title shot so theyre still spoon feeding him, they only have 20 Welterweights on their books