Tonga'uiha was signed from Bedford in 2006

Northampton prop Soane Tonga'uiha is to leave the Saints and join Saracens at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old Tonga international has decided to leave Franklin's Gardens after receiving a better contract offer from Sarries.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton: "We're disappointed he's decided to leave.

"We worked hard with his conditioning and he became a very good player but the club is bigger than one player."

Tonga'uiha joined Saints from Bedford in 2006 and has made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring 50 points.

Mallinder added: "You want players here who want to play for the club. We have to stick to the £4m salary cap.

"You'd like to give everyone as much as they want but we can't do that. If a club comes in with a silly offer and the player wants to go for money, you have to say well done and off you go.

"He's looking after his family and decided he's going to move on."

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