The 34-year-old winger, who had a kidney transplant in 2004, has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with Marseille.

The Federale 1 club confirmed the imminent signing with a simple statement on its website. Club Marseille-Vitrolles is about to finalize the transfer of the greatest legend of world rugby,” it said.

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Lomu retired from international rugby due to health problems in 2002 having won 63 caps for the All Blacks. He attempted a high-profile playing return with Cardiff Blues in 2005/6, after which he returned to New Zealand to play for North Harbour.

The player himself said he had signed for Marseille to help it try and achieve its aim of gaining promotion to ProD2 next season.

“Marseille is the second city in France,” he told www.marseillevitrollesrugby.com. “It should have a great rugby club. Now the club are giving itself the means to fulfil their ambitions.

“Promotion to ProD2 is the priority for the club this year. It’s that challenge which attracted me. The signings they have made show the club’s desire to succeed and I want to be part of this adventure.

“My experience can help the club grow. I want to pass on what rugby has given to me not only to my team-mates but also to the club’s youngsters. My ambition? Help Marseille become one of the great French clubs,” he said.

Lomu was widely believed to have retired from rugby in 2007, but the former All Black said he had taken a breather rather than stopped altogether.

“I never quit rugby,” he insisted. “I decided to take a sabbatical year to be there during my partner’s pregnancy, to experience this moment which is so important to a man’s life.

“Everyone thought that I had stopped my career, but it was a mistake. I always feel the need to play and only I will decide when it will be the end,” added Lomu.

Marseille have already signed former Montpellier coach Alain Hyardet, ex-All Black and Stade Toulousain player Isotolo Maka, Fijian centre Julian Vulakoro and Racing-Metro second row David Gerard as they gear up for a promotion push.

And it seems Lomu may not be the only global superstar heading to France for next season following reports that Springbok winger Bryan Habana is weighing up offers from at least three Top 14 clubs.

According to French paper L’Equipe the former IRB World Player of the Year is mulling over offers to sign for Stade Toulousain, Stade Francais and Bayonne. The 26-year-old said he would consider his options over the next fortnight with his two main options being to either stay in South Africa or move to France. Offers to play in England or Wales had, he said, been turned down “because of the climate”.

France scrum-half Julien Dupuy is expected to confirm his transfer from Leicester Tigers to Stade Francais this week after the Guinness Premiership side re-signed 28-year-old James Grindal.

Grindal’s capture has paved the way for Dupuy to complete his long-anticipated return to France, with the Paris giants having also upped their original transfer fee to €200,000.

“Allowing Julien to leave the club is a decision that has not been taken lightly, but he made it clear that, for personal reasons, he wanted to go back to France,” said Tigers’ head coach Richard Cockerill.

“Stade were willing to pay a substantial fee to take him there and we have to think of the squad as a whole when making these decisions,” he added.

Cockerill said the fact Dupuy was now likely to miss chunks of the season due to Six Nations’ duty had also influenced his decision, especially with Harry Ellis also likely to be required by England.

Grindal has re-signed for the club where he started his professional career after seven years with the Newcastle Falcons.

Toulon’s former Newcastle fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has, meanwhile, arrived in France ahead of Toulon’s pre-season training – which starts on Wednesday July 2.

Elsewhere on the transfer market ProD2 side Lyon OU have  confirmed the signing of 25-year-old London Irish winger James Bailey, as well as Racing-Metro’s Tongan lock Paino Kelekolio Hehea. Both have signed two-year contracts.

Top 14’s Bayonne, meanwhile, are reportedly lining up Mont-de-Marsan’s 29-year-old fly-half Benat Arrayet. The Basque club has previously been knocked back by both Frederic Michalak and Jonny Wilkinson in its search for a new No 10.

The Arrayet deal – if it goes ahead – would see Bayonne players Julien Florini (27) , Julien Tilloles (31) and Antoni Etchegaray (23) all move in the other direction as payment.

Lyon have also confirmed that prop Laurent Pakihivatau and back-row forward Julien Salellas have both signed two-year contract extensions, while Gérald Gambetta has signed for three.

Oyonnax, who lost out to SCA Albi in the ProD2 play-off final, have announced that eight players have extended their current contracts.