Leicester Tigers prop Martin Castrogiovanni has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old will make his final appearance at Welford Road this afternoon when Tigers host Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership semi-final.
The Italian international is set to join French Top 14 giants Toulon next season.
Although no official announcement has been made by either club, Castrogiovanni announced on Twitter at 11.55am this morning, he would be leaving Leicester.
He said: "Last game at my house Welford Road. Thank you so much to all of you for all this year. You make me the player I am today. I didn't want to leave but I want to play rugby. I hope one day I will come back."
The tight head prop has become a huge fans' favourite at Welford Road since joining as a virtual unknown from Calvisano in the summer of 2006.
His warrior-like playing style immediately endeared him to the Tigers faithful and his emotional attachement to the club and its fans often reared its head on the pitch and in interviews.
But he began to lose his starting shirt to Dan Cole this season and the Englishman has started 16 games to Castro's eight going into today's match.
Castro has made 144 appearances for the club before today's game and has 95 caps for Italy.
He is sure of a warm send-off.
Tigers could turn to Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster, 27, as his replacement.
The 31-year-old will make his final appearance at Welford Road this afternoon when Tigers host Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership semi-final.
The Italian international is set to join French Top 14 giants Toulon next season.
Although no official announcement has been made by either club, Castrogiovanni announced on Twitter at 11.55am this morning, he would be leaving Leicester.
He said: "Last game at my house Welford Road. Thank you so much to all of you for all this year. You make me the player I am today. I didn't want to leave but I want to play rugby. I hope one day I will come back."
The tight head prop has become a huge fans' favourite at Welford Road since joining as a virtual unknown from Calvisano in the summer of 2006.
His warrior-like playing style immediately endeared him to the Tigers faithful and his emotional attachement to the club and its fans often reared its head on the pitch and in interviews.
But he began to lose his starting shirt to Dan Cole this season and the Englishman has started 16 games to Castro's eight going into today's match.
Castro has made 144 appearances for the club before today's game and has 95 caps for Italy.
He is sure of a warm send-off.
Tigers could turn to Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster, 27, as his replacement.
