Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed the club's signing of England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson.

The 29-year-old fly-half has agreed a two-year deal with the Top 14 side, ending a 12-year association with Newcastle Falcons.

His capture was confirmed by Boudjellal when he announced the team's new squad for next season. Wilkinson's was the stand-out name amid a whole raft of new arrivals.

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The international record points-scorer is the latest England star to opt for a spell across the Channel, despite the ongoing threats from the RFU.

Riki Flutey, James Haskell, Jamie Noon and Iain Balshaw have also agreed recent deals with French clubs as the euro pay cheque becomes ever more attractive.

Wilkinson's erstwhile club-mate Tom May will also be joining Toulon, together with the likes of Cardiff's Jamie Robinson, Bristol's Joe El Abd, Saracens' Kris Chesney, Munster's Timmy Ryan and the Sale trio of Rory Lamont, Juan Martin Lobbe and Sebastien Bruno. Clermont Auvergne duo Pierre Mignoni and Laurent Emmanuelli have also been signed, along with veteran Argentine fly-half Felipe Contepomi from Leinster - who will still join despite a serious knee injury which has ruled him out for at least six months.

Other signings confirmed by the club tonight include that of South African lock Dewald Meyer Senekal (from the Lions), French under-19 international Clement Marienval (from Lyon OU), Tongan-born Japanese international full-back Christian Loamanu (from Toshiba brave) - who tested positive for marijuana at the beginning of the year - and Tonga Lea'aetoa (from London Irish).

Wilkinson' drawn-out transfer was finally given the green light after Toulon 's away victory at Dax (22-12) eight days ago confirmed their survival in Top 14.

They followed up with a 23-3 home win over Montpellier on Saturday - to leapfrog their opponents into ninth position - with new director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre was looking on from the stands.

The former Sale boss watched on as current player-coach Tana Umaga scored his first try since retiring (and his team's third) to earn his side a crucial bonus point. The former All Blacks captain went on to suggest he might continue playing next season - a role which Saint-Andre would apparently be very happy to accommodate.

Wilkinson, who will be 30 on May 25, has scored 1,032 points in 70 international matches.

Boudjellal saw the impact - commercial and playing - that Perpignan's capture of Dan Carter had, and set his sights on securing a similar deal for his team.

Newcastle's director of rugby Steve Bates described Wilkinson as "an inspirational figurehead" and said he would be sadly missed. "Even during the times when his appearances for us were restricted he has always remained a positive presence behind the scenes, and everyone here thanks him for his fantastic service as well as wishing him all the best for his new life over in France," added Bates.