Dan Lydiate will leave Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the season to join an undisclosed European team
The fearless flanker is out of contract in the summer and has already been linked with several big-spending French clubs.
And the Dragons have confirmed the Welsh star will quit the region after six years at Rodney Parade.
The news is an untimely blow for the Welsh region, who face Rugby Mogliano in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Saturday.
The Dragons lost their opening two fixtures in Pool Three and must overcome the Italians to keep their slim hopes of qualification alive.
"We are obviously very disappointed that Danny has decided to leave the Dragons," said Dragons director of rugby Robert Beale.
"He has been a key part of our set up for several years and is popular with both the players and the coaches.
"I can assure our supporters that we did all that we could to retain Dan's services but we simply cannot compete with the offers which have been put on the table."
Lydiate, who made his Dragons debut in 2006 and overcame a career-threatening neck injury the following year, has made 19 European appearances for the region.
The 24-year-old is currently sidelined after fracturing his ankle against Edinburgh in September and will miss the remainder of the Amlin Challenge Cup group stages.
