PAUL Sackey will leave Wasps at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old England winger turned down a final contract offer from the club on Wednesday and will move to France when his contract expires at the end of this season.

Sackey said: “This was the hardest decision I’ve had to make because my heart is in Wasps and I will always support the club.

“I have spent some great years here and my heart is here, but I feel the opportunities put in front of me were just too good to ignore.

“I want Wasps to do well and now the most important thing is to make sure we play well and finish the season with silverware.”

Director of rugby Tony Hanks admitted the financial offers from France were beyond anything Wasps could offer, but said he understood Sackey’s decision.

He said: “It is disappointing to lose a player of Paul’s ability and standing within the team, but considering his own career ambitions to play for only two or three more seasons then it is hard to argue with his decision. He is securing his financial future.”

Sackey follows in the footsteps of James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer – all of whom left the club last summer for bigger wage packets in France – and the fear is other big names could follow.

Wasps were expected to make an announcement on all their out of contract players this week, but Hanks now says it will be finalised in the ‘near future’.