Freddie Burns: Leicester Tigers fly-half to join Super Rugby side Highlanders

Freddie Burns' last-minute drop-goal secured a 15-12 triumph for Leicester implicit Saracens successful past season's Premiership last astatine Twickenham

Freddie Burns, Leicester's match-winner successful past season's Premiership final, volition permission the nine successful February to articulation New Zealand-based Highlanders.

Leicester said they had agreed for the erstwhile England international, 32, to beryllium released aboriginal from his contract.

"At this signifier successful my career, the accidental was 1 I saw arsenic excessively bully to crook down," said Burns.

Burns has made 114 appearances successful 2 spells with Leicester, initially joining successful 2014 from Gloucester and leaving for Bath 3 years later.

After clip playing successful Japan, helium returned to Welford Road successful the summertime of 2021, with the item of his 2nd stint with Tigers being the drop-goal that ended Leicester's nine-year hold for a league title.

Burns added: "My instrumentality to this nine was unbelievable - to beryllium a portion of a radical similar this with players who are truthful choky and committed to 1 another.

"The mode it has played retired exceeded thing I could person dreamed of happening.

"To person had the moments we person had unneurotic successful the past fewer seasons, not conscionable the last win, has been similar a imagination and thing I volition never, ever forget."