Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has signed a two-year, £1.5-million deal with Toulon.

Halfpenny turned down an offer from the Cardiff Blues and the Welsh Rugby Union worth around £300,000 a year to become the 10th Wales squad member to leave the country.

'I believe the decision to move to Toulon is the best decision for me and my continued development as a rugby player and as a person,' he said. 'I'm very excited about joining an ambitious, outstanding club. Toulon are fully supportive of my international desires and duties and this was an important factor in my decision.'

Halfpenny's decision means that only two of Wales' first-choice back division will be in Wales next season.

'The future of the game in Wales must be sorted out now,' said Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland. 'This situation simply cannot be allowed to continue. Given the current uncertainty over the competitions the regions are playing in next season and the revenues attached to that, it is understandable why players are looking elsewhere.'

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