Matt Proctor will join former coach Chris Boyd at Northampton after this year's Super Rugby competition.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee has farewelled Hurricanes and All Blacks midfielder Matt Proctor with a heavy heart.

Former Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has snapped up Proctor to join English club Northampton after the 2019 season as the weight of overseas money continues to lure top-end New Zealand talent, with Lee describing Proctor as potentially a "50 or 60-test All Black".

"We're disappointed," Lee told Stuff on Saturday.

"I've been in touch with Matt myself and said that we're really disappointed that you are going but we respect the decision and understand his reasons.

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"As a rugby fan first and foremost someone like him, who has been in and around the All Blacks for a while, been a strong Super Rugby player, only just been capped, you could see it and say he's just kicking on the door, but he's got his own reasons.

"Clearly the financial offer is significant and a big part of it, but if he was an established All Black I don't think he'd be doing the same thing."

With Ryan Crotty understood to be weighing up overseas offers and Sonny Bill Williams also off contract, the 26-year-old Proctor's All Blacks chances might have improved next year but Lee indicated that being largely overlooked in recent years had made up Proctor's mind.

HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGES Matt Proctor and Dane Coles look on at Hurricanes pre-season training in Wellington this week.

"From our perspective we can see that progression, but you could also argue he may have had more of an opportunity over the last three seasons within the All Blacks that might have changed his decision.

"He would have loved to have played more games for New Zealand and been a core All Black, but there's a lot of talent around in that position.

"He could have signed on for one more year and seen what happens beyond the World Cup, but clearly he's got an offer in front of him that's he's decided to accept.

"I'm not critical of Matt Proctor. I would have loved to have seen him stay longer at the Hurricanes and become a 50 or 60-cap All Black because we genuinely think he's that good."

Proctor will be the second All Black back to depart the Hurricanes after the 2019 season, following Nehe Milner-Skudder's announcement that he will join Toulon.

However, both will still be available for the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad, should injuries strike in the midfield or outside backs.

MARK TANTRUM/GETTY IMAGES Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee is sorry to see Matt Proctor go.

Lee also played down the significance of Boyd factor in the Proctor move. describing it as simply "the business of rugby".

"It's not personal," Lee said.

"Chris has got a job to do. Northampton are a proud club. Chris wants them to be successful and itf it wasn't Northampton it would be somebody else.

"It's the business of rugby.

"You can't take it personally because you'd never get out of bed the next day because you'd be thinking everyone is out to get you."