Toulon have confirmed the signing of former All Blacks loose forward Liam Messam.

​The 33-year-old will leave New Zealand at the end of the Chiefs' Super Rugby season after signing a two-year deal with the big-spending French club, who announced the move on Saturday (NZ time).

Last month French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique had reported Messam was being chased by another French club - Lyon - but their offers have been trumped by Toulon, who is home to fellow Kiwis Malakai Fekitoa, Ma'a Nonu and Alby Mathewson.

DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES Toulon were on the lookout for a replacement for Duane Vermeulen, who is heading back to the Stormers after this season.

Toulon were on the lookout for a replacement for Springbok Duane Vermeulen, who is heading back to the Stormers after the current Top 14 season. Club president Mourad Boudjellal had said on Thursday he "will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours".

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DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has snapped up another former All Black.

Jerome Kaino's name was tipped to be the man to fill those shoes, with the All Blacks veteran also off contract this year and having had a number of clubs talk with him.

However, it's Messam, instead, who will add his powerful and athletic frame to the back row of Toulon, who finished fourth in the Top 14 last season and are sixth just over halfway through their current campaign.

Messam played 43 tests for the All Blacks between 2008 and 2015, and is the Chiefs' most-capped player in history, with the former captain having notched 161 appearances since his debut in 2006.

Welcome @LiamMessam ! Bienvenue Liam Messam au @RCTofficiel pour les 2 prochaines saisons 😊 #RCT 💪 — RCT - RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) January 19, 2018

Following the 2015 World Cup victory he linked with Toshiba in Japan, then returned to sevens, where he strove to make the team for the Olympics. But after missing selection for Rio, Messam made a shock return to the Chiefs late in the 2016 season, playing for both them and Toshiba since.

He will line up for an 18th season with the Chiefs when they begin their season on February 24, against the defending champion Crusaders in Christchurch, then it will be to France, to quite likely round out his career.

THE ALL BLACKS WHO'VE LEFT NZ SINCE 2016

- Liam Messam (Chiefs to Toulon, France) - age: 33, tests: 43, year of last test: 2015. (leaving end of 2018 Super Rugby season)

- Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders to Wasps, England) - 26, 26, 2017. (leaving end of 2018 Super Rugby season)

- Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders to Toulon, France) - 25, 24, 2017.

- Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs to La Rochelle, France) - 27, 27, 2017.

- Steven Luatua (Blues to Bristol, England) - 26, 14, 2016.

- Aaron Cruden (Chiefs to Montpellier, France) - 29, 50, 2017.

- Charlie Faumuina (Blues to Toulouse, France) - 31, 50, 2017.

- Victor Vito (Hurricanes to La Rochelle, France) - 30, 33, 2015.

- Any Ellis (Crusaders to Kobe Steelers, Japan) - 33, 28, 2015.

ALL BLACKS WHO LEFT NZ IN 2015, THE YEAR OF LAST WORLD CUP TRIUMPH

- Francis Saili (Blues to Munster, Ireland) - 26, 2, 2013.

- Charles Piutau (Blues to Wasps, England) - 26, 16, 2015.

- Tom Taylor (Crusaders to Toulon, France) - 28, 3, 2013.

- Frank Halai (Blues to Wasps, England) - 29, 1, 2013.

- Colin Slade* (Crusaders to Pau, France) - 30, 21, 2015.

- Jamie Mackintosh (Chiefs to Montpellier, France) - 32, 1, 2008.

- Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes to Gloucester, England) - 32, 11, 2015.

- Ben Franks* (Hurricanes to London Irish, England) - 33, 47, 2015.

- Ma'a Nonu* (Hurricanes to Toulon, France) - 35, 103, 2015.

- Dan Carter* (Crusaders to Racing 92, France) - 35, 112, 2015.

- Conrad Smith* (Hurricanes to Pau, France) - 36, 94, 2015.

*Members of 2015 World Cup-winning squad