Perpignan win race to sign Carter

New Zealand outhalf Dan Carter has signed a six-month deal with French club Perpignan after receiving permission to spend a season in Europe.

Carter, who had been expected to link up with former international teammate Tana Umaga at Toulon, 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 be available to play for the All Blacks 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 in a statement this morning.

"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 pointscorer in tests, also considered an offer from Toulon, where his former skipper Umaga is coach, but opted for Perpignan because they were involved in both the French Top 14 and European Cup.

"If I am going to play rugby in Europe I want to test myself against the best Europe can offer," he said. "I am excited about the challenges both the Top 14 and the European Cup will bring."