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King, who also lifted the Amlin Challenge Cup with Wasps in 2003, said: "I'm very excited about the prospect of joining Northampton Saints, which is one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
"In Jim Mallinder the Saints have a director of rugby that I respect greatly and a good, young team with plenty of talented English players. The club also has a great support base and I hope that I'll be able to help bring success to Franklin's Gardens."
Over the past five years 37-year-old King has built up a reputation as one of the most exciting coaches in European rugby. As assistant coach at Clermont he helped the French club win the Top 14 for the very first time in 2010 and reach the 2012 Heineken Cup semi-finals.
Clermont currently remain undefeated in Heineken Cup Pool 5 and are second in the Top 14 table.
"I've had an amazing six years in France as a player and a coach," he said. "I always wanted to play in France and immerse myself in a different culture. I have done that and learned a great deal by working with great coaches like Vern, Joe Schmidt and Franck Azema."
Mallinder added: "I believe Alex is the right person to help us move forward as a group. As a player he was part of an excellent London Wasps team, and as a coach he has helped Clermont Auvergne become one of the top clubs in Europe.
"He has built up a considerable amount of experience in a short space of time and is a coach who has some exciting ideas. I'm looking forward to Alex joining us in the summer and establishing himself at Franklin's Gardens."
