Racing 92 had denied it but all that was missing was a small signature.
This time, it's done.
English international fly-half Owen Farrell will join the Ile-de-France club this summer, for two seasons, as the latter announced on Monday.
After the double world champion South African captain Siya Kolisi, or, a few years ago, the legend of the All Blacks Dan Carter or the Springbok François Steyn, the Hauts-de-Seine club is recruiting another star of world rugby.
Owen Farrell, 32, who currently plays for Saracens, has 112 caps for England.
The Ciel et Blanc lost Scottish fly-half Finn Russell this summer, transferred to Bath.
They are currently playing at the opening with the club's child, Antoine Gibert, the young Martin Méliande or the South African Tristan Tedder.
Racing 92 will therefore evolve from next season with an experienced, world-class player, 3rd in the last World Cup in France, and moreover freed from his national team obligations.
Racing 92 formalizes the signing of Owen FARRELL within its professional men's team.
the press release: https://t.co/3Ap6hAXadr pic.twitter.com/UJXsarhk1R
— Racing 92 (@racing92) January 22, 2024
“A superb recruitment”
Owen Farrell has indeed announced that he is suspending his international career so as not to overburden the end of his career.
In Hauts-de-Seine he will find his compatriots Henry Arundell, the winger who also recently gave up on the XV de la Rose to extend to Racing 92, and Stuart Lancaster, manager of Ciel et Blanc and former coach of Farrell in the England jersey until 2015.
Asked last week about the imminent arrival of the English star, Antoine Gibert only showed enthusiasm.
“I have just re-signed for three years,” he smiled.
If Owen Farrell were to arrive, that would be great.
Because he is a great player, with a lot of experience.
He can play fly-half or first center and I never really had the opportunity to play with a 5/8th (fly-half positioned as first center) next to me.
So that would be interesting.
»
In the process, his manager Stuart Lancaster supported: “It would be a superb recruitment.
Who wouldn't want a player like Owen Farrell?
I signed for four years at Racing and I'm trying to build a team that can win this year but also a team that can stay competitive for the future.
» The player will just have to find his spark again because he is far from having shone on the pitch in recent weeks.