 Jones was being chased by English and French clubs |
Wales fly-half Stephen Jones has accepted a lucrative offer to join French club Montferrand. Jones, who is out of contract with the Scarlets at the end of the season, has signed a two-year deal to play at the Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin.
"This club has been a very special place for me, and it will be hard to leave," Jones said.
Jones, 26, joined Llanelli in 1996 and has made more than 200 appearances and amassed almost 2,000 points.
Montferrand have made it through to the final of the Parker Pen Cup in Europe, but are involved in a relegation play-off battle in the French domestic championship.
However, the club has big-name France stars such as Olivier Magne, Aurelien Rougerie and Tony Marsh who should ensure Montferrand stay safe in the top flight.
New Zealand-born Marsh, in particular, will help smooth Jones' transition to French club rugby, as the natural English speaker will help his new team-mate both off the field and on it from his adjacent position at inside centre.
Zurich Premiership sides Leicester and Saracens had both bid for Jones, but Montferrand wanted him to replace former France fly-half Gerald Merceron and the lure of France proved too strong in the end.
Jones starred in the Celtic League win over Glasgow at the weekend that took Scarlets to the top of the table, and will want to sign off his time at Stradey Park by lifting the title.
"I'd like to go out on a high with a Celtic League champions medal," Jones added. "But I am excited about moving to France, learning a new language and experiencing a different culture."
Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins said there was no hard feelings despite Jones' decision to quit Stradey Park.
"Naturally we are disappointed that Stephen will be leaving us, but we respect his decision and wish him every success at Montferrand," Jenkins said.
"Stephen joined us at 18 years of age and has been a big part of what we have achieved over the last eight years.
"He is a terrific player, a dedicated professional and has many friends at Stradey. We all wish him well."
The Scarlets will replace Jones from within their own ranks by handing Gareth Bowen the No 10 jersey full time.
Bowen proved an able deputy this season with Jones away for much of the time with Wales on World Cup and RBS Six Nations duty, thriving on the extra responsibility.
But the performance of Welsh players at those tournaments put them in the shop window and Jenkins admits they are in demand.
"There are players within my squad who have been offered huge amounts of money to play in England and France," Jenkins said.
"That's a big concern because we cannot match them. We do not have the money - it's as simple as that."
It is a worrying time for Welsh rugby and its five fledgling regional sides.
Wales record try-scorer Gareth Thomas will move to French giants Toulouse on a �200,000-a-season deal and others could still follow.
However, Neath-Swansea Ospreys have managed to hang onto Shane Williams for another three years despite the winger being head-hunted across the Channel.
They have also been secured the signature of 25-year-old Wales prop Duncan Jones on a new two-year contract.
On the plus side for the Scarlets, several senior players have already re-signed with the region, including current Wales hooker Robin McBryde.
The others are wing Salesi Finau, centres Matthew Watkins and Tal Selley, full-back Barry Davies, flanker Ian Boobyer, hooker Aled Gravelle and prop Jon Thiel.
The Scarlets have also signed Wales openside Gavin Thomas from the Ospreys and Bath's Wales Under-21 lock Jonathan Mills.
Number eight Gavin Quinnell, younger brother of former Lions star Scott and Blues lock Craig, and lock Adam Jones have also been given two-year deals.
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Stephen is a terrific player, a dedicated professional and has many friends at Stradey. We all wish him well 
