Bath Rugby and England international utility back Olly Barkley has signed a two year contract with Gloucester Rugby and will move to Kingsholm at the end of the season.
Barkley, who is Bath's second highest points scorer, has spent his full career to date at the Recreation Ground and has scored 1538 points in 164 appearances. He is currently the third highest scorer in the European Challenge Cup having scored 47 points for Bath in their European campaign.
The 27 year old will stay in Bath until the end of the season and is set to be as key player in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Leeds Carnegie on Saturday, 4 April.
Barkley has already made 29 appearances in Challenge Cup to date, including reaching the final in 2007, and has scored 13 tries.
Speaking about his departure the England World Cup squad member said that the decision was not an easy one to take:
"The club has played such a massive part in my life and everyone at Bath has been a great support to me as a player and as a person. I have the greatest respect for the players, coaches and support staff and I didn't, by any means, make my decision lightly. However, it is clear that Gloucester is a club that is going places. I look forward to playing my part next season and establishing myself in the squad." he said.
Bath Rugby will host Leeds Carnegie in European Challenge Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, 5 April at 2.15 pm (local time). Defeated by ASM Clermont Auvergne last season in European Challenge Cup final, Bath is one the favorites for the European Trophy this season.
