Gloucester confirmed today that flanker Akapusi Qera will leave Kingsholm at the end of the year to take up a short-term contract with French giants Toulouse.
The move for the 29-year-old Fiji international, who has been with the Cherry and Whites since 2007, had been announced back on December 13 by the Top14 side.
Qera moved to Kingsholm from Championship side Pertemps Bees, following the conclusion of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, has gone on to make well in excess of 100 appearances for the club and was contracted until the end of the current season.
He said: “For personal reasons, I feel the time is right for me to move on from Gloucester Rugby now after the last seven seasons at Kingsholm.
“I would like to thank the Club and its supporters for the backing they have given me over the years, and my time at Gloucester will always be close to my heart.”
“It's clear Gloucester Rugby is right to return to strengthening its core rugby values, and I am grateful to the Club for the understanding that it has shown me in my wish to pursue this opportunity with Toulouse.”
Gloucester and Toulouse reached an agreement on compensation for the time remaining on Qera's contract and Director of Rugby Nigel Davies confirmed he will now “fully consider his options” moving forward with funding being made available through a transfer fee and the remainder of Qera's salary.
“We are naturally disappointed to lose Q (Qera) at this time. However, on his return from the Autumn internationals, he requested for his own reasons to be released from his contract early,” said Davies.
“On a personal level, it has been a pleasure working with Akapusi and I wish him well in his new career at Toulouse.”
“As we continue to reshape the squad, we have a clear direction of where we want to be going forward.
“I am very pleased with the recruitment and retention of players we've already achieved and, thanks to the hard work and commitment from our team here, and with the backing of our Board of Directors and our supporters, there will be more positive news in the New Year as we continue this process.”
