Dom Waldouck will play for the Saints next season © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Dominic Waldouck

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Northampton Saints | Wasps

Former England Saxons centre Dom Waldouck has left London Wasps and will play for the Northampton Saints next term.

Waldouck had a year left on his contract at Wasps but the club claim that he submitted a written transfer request citing that he was looking for a fresh start. He has penned a contract at the Saints and will link up with the club immediately.

Waldouck is relishing the chance to turn out for the Saints but admits it was a tough decision to leave Wasps."I'm keen to hit the ground running at Northampton and look forward to starting with the boys this week," Waldouck said. "I worked with Jim Mallinder a few years ago in the National Academy and know that he likes to produce teams that play attractive rugby, so hopefully I can fit into the system and help contribute to the club's success.

"My ambition to play for England is as strong as ever and I believe that playing Heineken Cup rugby for the Saints gives me the best platform to help achieve these goals.

"This has been a really difficult decision to arrive at but I feel it is right for me at this stage in my career. I first started training with Wasps when I was 15 and the club has played a massive part in my life over the last nine years. The obvious highlights include the Heineken and Premiership wins, but more importantly the friends I've made and the supporters are the main memories I will take with me as I leave."

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young was disappointed at Waldouck's decision but wished him well at his new club. "We are really disappointed to lose Dom who we were hoping to play an important role in our squad next season," Young said. "However despite our attempts to talk him round, he has been adamant that he needs a fresh start and it wouldn't do any of us any good to keep him here against his will.

"Dom's ultimate aim is to get back in the England reckoning and he feels he needs to be playing for a side competing at the top of the Aviva Premiership and in the Heineken Cup to do so. We are looking immediately to fill the gap he leaves in the squad though this is a tough time of year for recruitment. I wish Dom all the best in the future."

But while Young is bidding farewell to Waldouck, his new boss Jim Mallinder is looking forward to working with him. "Dom has shown his ability repeatedly throughout his career, especially on the big stages such as Heineken Cup and Premiership finals," Mallinder said. "He has a strong all round game and can play in both centre positions. Dom may be young, but he already has a great deal of experience at club level and with the Saxons and I'm sure that his best years are in front of him."