French giants finally confirm signing of Saints scrum-half Reinach
One of the worst-kept secrets in rugby has finally been confirmed.
On Friday morning, Top 14 club Montpellier announced the signing of Saints scrum-half Cobus Reinach on a three-year deal.
Reinach recently put out an emotional farewell message to everyone at Franklin's Gardens on social media.
And it has now been set in stone that Montpellier will be his next destination, with the South African star moving to France on July 1.
Reinach has been a huge hit at Saints since joining from Super Rugby side the Sharks in the summer of 2017.
He has scored an impressive 31 tries in just 76 appearances in Northampton colours, winning the players' and supporters' player of the year prizes last season.
But he wasn't able to get to say goodbye as he wanted to as the Covid-19 pandemic called a halt to rugby in March.
It meant Reinach's final Saints appearance was the 16-10 Gallagher Premiership win against Worcester Warriors at Sixways on March 6.
And Reinach had to find a new way to say goodbye to Saints, using Twitter to post a video, in which he said: "Okay, this is definitely not the way I wanted to say goodbye.
"Sitting here looking back at the last few seasons, I realised I'm extremely grateful for every opportunity I've had to put on the Saints jersey.
"Even though I gave my all to the jersey, it actually gave so much more back.
"For my family and I, this chapter is over. But I can tell you that it has been nothing short of spectacular and that has everything to do with the people around us.
"To every player, staff member and especially the supporters - thank you.
"I actually heard about the supporters before I got here. I heard they were mad about rugby and I didn't quite get it, but then I remember standing on the pitch at a packed Franklin's Gardens with the fans singing 'oh when the Saints go marching in', and I thought to myself 'I get it'.
"You guys are the heart of the team.
"And now to the boys... I wish I could be there with you guys to lift that trophy at Twickenham, but I'll make a plan to be there and celebrate with you afterwards.
"For now, all I can say is cheers, boys, it's been one hell of a ride."