Former All Black Dan Carter has confirmed his return to French Rugby, saying he will head back to Racing 92 as their "medical joker" for the remainder of the Top 14 season.
The Paris-based club first announced the deal yesterday when they ran a promo on their stadium's big screens during the sides 34-29 defeat to Toulouse yesterday.
Carter, who turns 37 next month, will return to the club replacing former Springbok Pat Lambie, who was forced to retire due to ongoing issues with concussions.
"Excited to be joining my Ciel et Blanc brothers for the remainder of the Top 14 Season in France. I'm coming back mid season as a Medical Joker. It was very sad to hear about Lambie's decision to retire as he has done so much for international rugby," Carter wrote on Instagram.
"Thank you to my family for their continued support, and thank you to Racing 92 for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch."
The term "medical joker" is one used in French rugby circles for injury replacements.
Carter gained a release from his Japanese club, the Kobelco Steelers, to make the deal possible.
Carter won the World Cup twice with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015 in a 112-Test career spanning 12 years after he made his debut in 2003. He went on to become the game's top international scorer with1,598 points.
After leaving the All Blacks at the end of 2015 to join Racing 92, he guided his new club to a Top 14 title the following year. In three seasons, Carter earned 445 points in 58 games and also helped them to two silver medals in the European Champions Cup.
At the end of the 2017-18 season, Carter left the club to join the Kobelco Steelers in Japan, who he also guided to a Top League title before being named the tournament's MVP.
Racing currently sit seventh on the Top 14 table.
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