Aaron Mauger chats to Israel Dagg at Crusaders training © Getty Images

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Super 15 franchise Crusaders have announced that attack coach Aaron Mauger will leave to become head coach at his former club Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2015/16 Premiership season.

Former centre Mauger spent four years at Tigers between 2007 and 2010 and will work closely with Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill. The 33-year-old won 45 caps for New Zealand between 2001-2007 and was part of Tigers' 2009/10 Premiership-winning side.

"I have awesome memories of my time at Leicester as a player and it is a place I will very happily return to," said Mauger. "I feel incredibly lucky to have the chance to do that as the head coach for the club and the timing is right for me to grab that opportunity. My aim is to help create the framework for Leicester to once again be among the top clubs in European and world rugby."

Mauger returned to Christchurch after his injury-enforced retirement in 2010 and took up coaching with the High School Old Boys club, before rising through the Canterbury NPC and eventually Crusaders ranks. Cockerill was delighted with the club's coup.

"Aaron played at the highest level with club and country," Cockerill said, "he has an excellent knowledge of the game and impressive ideas on how he wants to see it played. He made a very valuable input during his time here as a player and has developed as a coach during his time back in New Zealand. We have been looking for the right person to take on a very important job and help to take us forward as the game is always evolving. Aaron will be a real asset to this club as head coach with our coaching team."

Mauger joins fellow New Zealanders Brad Thorn and Scott Hamilton at Welford Road.