Akapusi Qera: Gloucester flanker to join Toulouse

Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera will join French Top 14 side Toulouse on Wednesday, 1 January.

The two clubs have reached an agreement for compensation for the time remaining on the Fiji international's contract, which was due to expire in the summer.

Qera, 29, arrived from Pertemps Bees in 2007 and made 142 appearances for Gloucester, scoring 165 points.

"We are naturally disappointed to lose Qera at this time," Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies said.

"However, on his return from the Autumn internationals, he requested for his own reasons to be released from his contract early.

"On a personal level, it has been a pleasure working with Akapusi and I wish him well in his new career at Toulouse."

Qera, who has 35 international caps, added: "For personal reasons, I feel the time is right for me to move on from Gloucester now after the last seven seasons at Kingsholm.

"I am grateful to the club for the understanding that it has shown me in my wish to pursue this opportunity with Toulouse.

"I would like to thank the club and its supporters for the backing they have given me over the years. My time at Gloucester will always be close to my heart."

Davies now has funds available to him to strengthen the Gloucester squad, having received a transfer fee and money from the remainder of Qera's salary.

"As we continue to reshape the squad, we have a clear direction of where we want to be going forward," he said.

"I am very pleased with the recruitment and retention of players we've already achieved. There will be more positive news in the New Year as we continue this process."