Done deal.

All Blacks and Chiefs loose forward Liam Messam will leave New Zealand and join French giants Toulon at the end of the Super Rugby season, according to a report by Stuff this morning.

Confirmation of the 33-year-old’s departure won’t come until Saturday (NZ time), but the 43-times capped All Black, who was coming off contract this year, has signed a two-year deal at the big-spending French club.

Toulon have actively been seeking a replacement for Springbok Duane Vermeulen, who is heading back to the Stormers after the current Top 14 season.

Club owner Mourad Boudjellal had said on Thursday he “will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours”.

Jerome Kaino was also linked this week, but it appears his former All Blacks teammate Messam is the man set to fill Vermeulen’s large boots. Messam will link up with fellow Kiwis Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu and Alby Mathewson at Toulon.