WALLABIES captain David Pocock has quit Perth to join the Brumbies in Canberra, leaving the Western Force and their shell-shocked fans without a captain or coach.

"Being based on the east coast will bring me closer to my family, who I've not seen as much of as I'd have liked, due to the combined factors of being located in Perth, and the heavy year-long rugby schedule," Pocock said in an open letter to fans.

"Playing under former Springboks coach Jake White, with all of his knowledge and experience, will allow me to have a fresh approach to the game and continue to challenge myself."

Pocock, 24, captained the Wallabies for the first time this season and is regarded as the future of Australian rugby.

He symbolised the hope for a brighter Force future and said his decision to leave was not taken lightly, seven years after he signed as a 17-year-old.

Brumbies coach Jake White rated Pocock's signing as the biggest coup pulled off by the Canberra club.

"If he ever decided to join us, he would be considered the biggest signing in the history of the Brumbies," White said.

The Brumbies' resurgence may have ended in a flame-out on finals eve, but the year has ended with arguably the biggest achievement - poaching Pocock for next season.

The signs were there that Pocock would head to the Brumbies a few weeks ago.

The wife of the star No. 7, Emma, was recently in Canberra to tour the university and look at real estate. But desperate to avoid a repeat of the Will Genia contract drama, where media leaks prompted the Wallaby halfback to backflip on a deal with the Force, White was always reluctant to say if he was confident of landing Pocock.

But there was no doubt how highly he rated one world rugby's great warriors.

"I respect him a massive amount, as everyone in world rugby does," White said.

"He is unique in a lot of ways, both on and off the field. The one thing I would like to focus on is to give him enough time, opportunity and space to weigh up what he thinks is best for his career."

White did say that while the Brumbies had produced the home-grown heroes such as Joe Roff, George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, Pocock joining the club would be a unprecedented signing.

"It would be a massive statement for our franchise, to our stakeholders and our supporters, but over and above that it would be a massive plus because he would be doing it because he would think it would be the right move for him to make," White said.

"If you consider he is now the incumbent Wallaby captain and he is often considered the best player in Australia, what a coup it would be if he decides (to join the Brumbies)."That deal is now done.