Matt Giteau leaving Toulon for Japan

Veteran Australian back Matt Giteau has confirmed this Top 14 season at Toulon will be his last.

The 34-year-old -- who has been at the French club since 2011 -- will continue his career in Japan for a yet to be named club.

Je veux annoncer que à la fin de cette saison je vais partir pour jouer en Japon. Prendre cette décision était la plus difficile de ma carrière rugbystique mais elle est la meilleure pour ma famille pour être plus proche à l'Australie. Je veux dire un grand merci aux joueurs, (qui j'ai rendu la vie longue amitié avec), aux entraineurs, au Président et au staff dans les coulisses depuis 2011. Je dois beaucoup à vous. Je veux aussi dire un grand merci aux supporteurs Toulonnais qui resteront dans mon coeur à vie. Le temps passé à Toulon a été la meilleure période de ma carrière rugbystique. Mon objectif principal maintenant est de gagner des titres pour ce club historique 🔴⚫️ #ToujoursToulonnais #MerciEncore

A photo posted by Matt Giteau (@matt_giteau) on Jan 29, 2017 at 11:25pm PST

The 103-Test veteran says his family's desire to be closer to Australia was behind his decision to leave Europe.

"Making this decision was the toughest of my rugby career but it is the best for my family to be closer to Australia," Giteau posted on Instagram, translated from French.

"The time spent in Toulon was the best period of my rugby career.

"My main goal now is to win titles for this historic club."

Giteau was a big part of Toulon in their halcyonian days where they won three successive European titles between 2013 and 2015.

Last year Giteau's season was curtailed after he suffered a broken ankle playing for the Wallabies in their 42-8 Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand.

He had revived his Wallabies career ahead of the 2015 World Cup, playing in that year's Rugby Championship after three years in the international wilderness.

The former Brumbies and Western Force star, who made his Wallabies debut in 2002, is believed to be among the highest-paid players in world rugby at French Top 14 club Toulon.

"I want to say a big thank you to the players, (who I have made life long friendship with), coaches, president and staff behind the scenes since 2011. I owe a lot to you," Giteau said.

"I also want to say a big thank you to the supporters Toulonnais who will remain in my heart for life."

Toulon currently sit fifth in the Top 14 standings, and face Clermont in an all-French quarterfinal in the Champions Cup on April 2.