Liam Williams has signed for European and English club champions Saracens after turning down an offer from the WRU.

He is believed to have penned a two-year deal with the Aviva Premiership leaders and will join them for next season.

The 25-year-old full-back had been dubbed the most wanted man in British rugby with his contract at the Scarlets coming to an end.

It was hoped the offer of a National Dual Contract from the WRU would keep him at Parc y Scarlets despite intense competition from their west Walian neighbours Ospreys, French clubs and Saracens.

Saracens are set to formally announce the deal in January, with the lure of living in London, where his model girlfriend Sophie Harries is based, and the opportunity to win major trophies understood to have been the determining factors in his decision.

(Image: Instagram: @sanjaywills)

He won his 37th Wales cap last weekend during the stuttering 33-30 victory over minnows Japan in Cardiff but picked up an expensive yellow-card for a cynical professional foul.

Williams will be captured by so-called Gatland’s Law when he leaves because the WRU had made him a formal offer which was in line with his perceived market value.

That means he will have to take his chances as an exile competing for one of the four wildcard spots available in the Wales team next season.

Williams will compete with Bath pair Taulupe Faletau and Rhys Priestland, Harlequins’ Jamie Roberts and Northampton Saints George North for wildcard status.

That number could increase if Leigh Halfpenny decides to stay with Toulon for next season or signs for another club outside Wales.

But the WRU money which would have gone to Williams can now be diverted to an attempt to bring the 2013 Lions hero home, with the Scarlets, his former region Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons all wanting his deadly goal-kicking and prolific points-scoring.

Saracens head coach Mark McCall was determined to land Williams after being impressed by his courage, versatility, eye-catching flair and try-scoring ability.

Williams is a certainty to line up for Wales during what defence coach Shaun Edwards has described as a ‘cup final’ against a similarly under-fire and ailing South Africa at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

There’s a possibility he could again swap positions with Halfpenny. Williams was at full-back last weekend with Halfpenny on the wing but the Wales camp remain undecided on the former’s best position.