Welsh region Cardiff Rugby have confirmed Taulupe Faletau will join the club following his exit from Bath in 2022.
Faletau announced earlier this week that he would leave The Rec at the end of the current campaign, though there was no official word in regards to his destination.
However, both the player and his destination club have now cemented the transfer after announcing he'll play his rugby at the Cardiff Arms Park next term.
Faletau—who will turn 31 next Friday—left the Dragons in 2016 to join Bath, where he's continued to impress as one of the Premiership 's top talents when fully fit.
The No. 8 spoke of his excitement at moving back to Wales and said in a statement: “I’m really looking forward to joining Cardiff next season. I’m excited about having a new challenge, working with Dai [director of rugby Young], and playing alongside some familiar faces.
“Playing international rugby is still something I have a lot of passion for and I hope that by playing well for Cardiff I’ll be able to continue to do that .
“I’ve enjoyed the last five years at Bath and I hope to finish this season off strongly. Then I am looking forward to coming back to Wales to play my rugby, and I know it will feel good to be back home.”
Faletau was one of numerous Welsh players based in the Premiership who were ineligible to play in Saturday's 54-16 defeat to New Zealand as it took place just outside the November Test window.
A move back to one of Wales' four regional clubs means the three-time British and Irish Lions tourist would be available to play for his country should a similar incident occur in future.
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The switch also strengthens the back-row options for Cardiff, who are already set to sign Wales flanker Thomas Young—son of director Dai—from Wasps at the end of the 2021/22 season.
“There is absolutely no doubt around the quality and ability of Toby," said director Young of Faletau's capture. "What he has achieved in the game is second to none and he remains highly motivated to achieve more.
“He sees Cardiff as a fresh challenge to keep him striving at the top of the game and is excited about what we are trying to build here.
“He will play a big part in that and his ability as a player and experience, both on and off the pitch, will drive standards across the board."
The club chief also spoke of the need to improve options at No. 8, with incumbent Josh Navidi having recently been ruled out of next year's Six Nations following a recurrence of a shoulder injury.
Young described 86-cap Wales talisman Faletau as a "key signing" for Cardiff as they once again look to become a European force under his guidance.
Faletau has made 64 appearances for Bath across his five seasons at The Rec thus far, though he's yet to play since injuring his ankle on the recent Lions tour of South Africa.
The veteran was recently ruled out of Wales' autumn internationals as a result of the injury, though he hopes to be fit in time for their title defence at the 2022 Six Nations.
