WASPS favourite Andy Goode will join London Irish at the end of the season to prolong his playing career.
The Coventry-born star, who is the second-highest points scorer in Premiership history with 2,147 for Leicester, Saracens, Worcester and Wasps, was offered a coaching role with Wasps at the end of the current campaign.
But Goode has decided to prolong his playing career further and will join the Exiles for the 2015/16 season.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Wasps and the Club will always mean a lot to me.” said Goode.
“I have huge respect for Derek Richardson, Dai Young and the coaches, as well as the players here at Wasps, and I am very grateful to Dai for offering me the opportunity to start a coaching career here.
“I love playing the game and I’m excited to be joining London Irish, which is another club with fantastic opportunities ahead, following a similar re-building process to Wasps.”
Goode has been in exceptional form since Wasps arrived at the Ricoh Arena back in September and set a new individual points record for a Premiership match when he scored 33 points in the opening match against London Irish.
And wants to end his career with Wasps in his hometown on a high.
“I have really enjoyed being a part of that process and I know how much it has energised the players at Wasps, seeing the facilities they now have and the potential to improve as a squad.
“It has been a lot of fun being involved during the move to Coventry and the Ricoh Arena and I can only see the Club continuing their upward curve.
“There is so much still to play for in Europe and in the Aviva Premiership and I will be putting everything I have into helping Wasps achieve our goals this season.”
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young had hoped to keep Goode at the club in a coaching capacity with the arrival of Jimmy Gopperth from Leinster seemingly ending Goode’s playing career at Wasps.
But Young has no hard feelings and said Goode will be missed at the Ricoh Arena.
He added: “Andy will leave with our very best wishes at the end of the season and I’m sure he will do a very good job for London Irish.
“We would have loved for Andy to stay at Wasps in a coaching capacity next season, but we fully understand his decision to play on at London Irish, during an exciting time for that club as well.
“Goodey has been a tremendous ambassador for Wasps since joining two seasons ago, both on and off the field. His performance against London Irish at our first game at the Ricoh Arena will live long in the memory.
“He’s a popular character, who has really helped some of our young guys coming through, and they will continue to benefit from his knowledge this season.
“Goodey’s a great competitor and I have no doubt he will put everything into our remaining games this season and will be determined to sign off for Wasps in style.”
