Ex-All Blacks winger Zac Guildford has quit Clermont Auvergne.

Guildford, who has 22 All Blacks caps, has made 20 appearances for Les Jaunards but has decided to prematurely end his stay in Clermont. Citing personal reasons, Guildford will return to New Zealand.

"Faced with personal problems, Zac could not stand the distance between here and New Zealand and he expressed his wish to join relatives," the club said on their website. "Despite the help of the entire team and the fact that we have accompanied him throughout the year, it was not enough.

"We knew that we were taking a gamble with Zac. From a sporting perspective, we were successful as he has met our expectations by playing twenty games (1445 minutes), unfortunately the weight of the distance and that resulting weakness are hurdles too big to overcome."

Unfortunately couldn't return to my best rugby at Clermont and thought it was time to move on and be closer to family thank you for asm fans — Zac Guildford (@zacguildford11) May 5, 2015

Clermont coach Franck Azema said: "Throughout the season, we were at his side. Unfortunately, it seems obvious that the best solution for him is to find solace and probably get help that we cannot provide."

The club added: "We will keep contact with Zac and can only hope that back in New Zealand he will find all the stability and support necessary to help him find the right track to continue his career and his life."