Ulster have said scrum-half John Cooney will leave the Irish province at the end of the season.
Cooney, 34, will move to Brive in France after an eight-year stint at the Kingspan Stadium club.
The Dublin-born player, who had spells at Leinster and Connacht, won his 11 Ireland caps during his time at Ulster.
Cooney quickly became a fans’ favourite after joining Ulster from Connacht in the summer of 2017.
“Playing for Ulster has always been an absolute privilege for me and I have never taken for granted how much this club means to so many people,” said Cooney.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said the Cooney “has built up a special connection with the supporters here through his passion and commitment to the jersey”.
“John is a big personality in the team and we will miss having him in the building,” added Murphy.
“He drives the highest standards of himself and those around him and I know he will continue that for the remainder of the season.”
The Irish province’s general manager Bryn Cunningham described Cooney as “one of the most influential players in the modern era for Ulster”.
“On a personal level, he has more than repaid the faith we showed in him, and, with a French move always something he wanted to explore, we wish him nothing but success in the next chapter of his career,” said Cunningham.
Brive are currently in third place in the French D2 table.
