Thursday, 11 January 2018: All Blacks five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has confirmed he is leaving New Zealand at the end of 2018 and heading to the UK.

All Blacks five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has confirmed he is leaving New Zealand to play rugby in the UK at the end of the year.

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Unconfirmed reports on Wednesday suggested that the Highlanders No.10 would be heading to the Coventry-based Wasps side.

On Thursday, the 26-year-old announced he would be leaving New Zealand with a "heavy heart" at the end of the 2018 season to take up a contract in Britain.

"It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make but is one I'm at peace with," Sopoaga said on Instagram.

"I have loved every minute of being a professional footballer here in NZ. I've made life long friends and memories that I'll cherish forever."

Sopoaga thanked fans, teammates, coaches, family and friends who stood by him.

"So here's to 2018, one last roll of the dice before I head off to experience life on the other side of the world. I'm ready," he said.

Sopoaga recently fell to third in the All Blacks' fly half pecking order, behind Hurricanes No.10 Beauden Barrett and Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie.