Highly rated South Sydney forward Sam Burgess will join Bath at the end of the 2014 NRL season.

After weeks of speculation, the two clubs reached a financial settlement believed to be worth about A$1-million (R10-million).

Burgess said he would aim to play for England at the 2015 World Cup.

'I'm happy this has all been sorted out before the start of the season so that I can concentrate on my game and the team without any other things in the way,' Burgess said. 'An opportunity presented itself to head back home to England and to pursue a chance to represent my country in two different sports.

'With 2015 being a Rugby World Cup, it was an opportunity I had to pursue and I thank the Rabbitohs for allowing me to make this move and start the next chapter in my sporting career.'

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