The master.

Dan Carter will leave French giants Racing 92 at the end of the current season, but the former All Black will continue his playing career with a stint in Japan lined up.

in an interview with French publication L’Equipe, the 35-year-old playmkaer revealed that he will be joining Japanese Top League side the Kobelco Steelers in the summer.

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“In 2015, when I signed to Racing for three seasons, I really thought it would be the last contract of my career. But this summer, after some good matches at the end of the season and good preparation, I felt good physically and I wanted to extend. I had contacts in Japan in 2015 already and I reactivated them.”

It turns out Racing wanted to hold onto Carter for at least another season, which surprised Carter.

“I did not think at all that Racing would want to keep me. And then, in the course of the discussions with Jacky Lorenzetti and the coaches, I realised that they wanted me to stay, that surprised me, and that made my choice complicated.”

Racing are expected to announce the signing of Finn Russell in the coming weeks, with the Scottish playmaker set to battle it out with Pat Lambie to replace Carter at the Parisian club.