Aaron Cruden will move to Montpellier at the end of this season

Aaron Cruden says he will "work his butt off" to play for the All Blacks against the Lions before he heads to France for a new rugby life.

Cruden will leave New Zealand at the end of the Chiefs' Super Rugby campaign, which means he will be available for the All Blacks' series against the British and Irish Lions, who visit for three tests in June and July.



On Wednesday, the All Blacks first-five confirmed he has signed a three-year deal with Montpellier after the French Top 14 club had announced the signing, following weeks of speculation that such a move was in the works.

Midi Libre reported that he will be paid €800,000 (NZ$1.2 million) per season to play for them.

GETTY IMAGES Aaron Cruden has signed a contract to play in France.

Aaron Cruden has appeared in a video online, to speak about the move.



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The deal will reportedly make him the second-highest paid player in the rich French Top 14 behind fellow New Zealander Dan Carter, who left the All Blacks to join Paris club Racing 92 after the 2015 World Cup triumph.

GETTY IMAGES Aaron Cruden calls the shots for the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

In a video posted on the Chiefs' Facebook page, Cruden said it was "with great sadness but also excitement" that this would be his last year playing in New Zealand.

"The excitement comes from the fact that I've signed a three-year deal in France, a beautiful part of the world, a fantastic rugby club, and a real opportunity to go out there, experience something different and something fresh. That really excites me and it's going to be a fantastic challenge that I have ahead."

The future of the 28-year-old Cruden had been the subject of massive speculation as he had fallen behind Beauden Barrett in the All Blacks pecking order at No 10.

Cruden has played 47 tests for the All Blacks since 2010, but has watched from the sidelines as playmaking rival Barrett soared to be judged the world's best player in the past 12 months.

But he said he would be doing all he could to play against the Lions.

"Even though it's coming to an end I look forward to the next six months - firstly the Super Rugby with the Chiefs and hopefully making a good run at the title there and if the future holds an All Black jersey for me in the Lions series, I'll be working my butt off to make sure that happens."

DOMINICO ZAPATA/FAIRFAX NZ All Black Aaron Cruden with young NZ rugby fans Jack Conder, 7, and Eden Conder, 5.

Cruden thanked his fans for their "loyal and continued support" during his career and to his family and friends.

"They've stuck by me and given me all that support that was needed for a young kid from Palmy to live out a childhood dream. I consider myself very lucky to be able to do that and played at the highest level of rugby in New Zealand."

Montpellier have space on their roster, with former Stormers five-eighth Demetri Catrakilis moving to the English scene with Harlequins.



Montpellier's other New Zealand first-five, Ben Botica, has failed to convince them he is the player to take them to the next level.



Montpellier are an increasingly ambitious outfit. Third on the current French Top 14 table, they have signed New Zealand coach Vern Cotter to take over next season.

Cotter shifts to France once duties are completed at Scotland where he is facing the Six Nations campaign.

There is speculation that former Springboks halfback Ruan Pienaar will move from Ulster to Montpellier to partner Cruden.

New Zealand Rugby now faces the prospect of losing Ben Smith and Israel Dagg as northern clubs target other All Blacks veterans.