Marseilles (AFP)
RC Toulon announced on Friday the recruitment of South African winger from Toulouse Cheslin Kolbe, reigning world champion and one of the biggest stars of the Top 14, where transfers are a rather rare practice.
"The RCT is very happy to announce the arrival in the harbor of the reigning World, European and French Champion, Cheslin Kolbe", wrote the Var club on his Twitter account, specifying that the South African s 'was signed for three seasons.
“The time has come for me to say goodbye to one of the greatest chapters of my history. I hope you understand that the decision to settle in Toulon was not an easy one. express the greatest gratitude to the entire Toulouse community ", for his part wrote the player on Twitter.
Arrived in 2017 on the banks of the Garonne, Kolbe was still contractually bound until 2023 at the Toulouse Stadium, with which he won the Top 14 twice (2019 and 2021), as well as the last European Cup.
RC Toulon therefore had to pay compensation, not specified for the moment, to immediately enroll the player, currently selected with the South African team for the Rugby Championship, a flagship competition in the southern hemisphere. .
The pocket winger (1.71 m, 74 kg), also able to evolve at the back, is considered one of the best players in the world thanks to his speed and fire support.
But the 2019 world champion has had a mixed second part of the 2020-2021 season in the Toulouse jersey, with an unusual series for him of 13 games without scoring a single try.
Unlike football, the practice of transfers is still rare in rugby, where players traditionally honor their entire contract before changing clubs.
The Top 14 resumes in 10 days but Toulouse and Toulon must face each other this Friday in Nîmes in a friendly match.
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