Former All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder will play for Edinburgh Reivers in Scotland next season with the blessing of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.

Blackadder will leaves Canterbury in New Zealand at the end of this year's NPC competition bringong an end to an eleven year career in New Zealand rugby.

New Zealand Rugby Football Union Chief Executive David Rutherford said that Blackadder departs with the organisation's best wishes.

"Todd has been an outstanding contributor to New Zealand rugby," Rutherford said. "He typified all that is great about our national game through his unrelenting commitment, his inspirational leadership, his tireless work ethic and his absolute humility. We discussed with Todd the options that were available in New Zealand but in the end we agreed that this choice is the best for him and ultimately may be the best for New Zealand.We appreciate his position and wish him, his wife Priscilla and their two children all the best for the future."

Canterbury Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Steve Tew echoed Rutherford's sentiments praising Blackadder for his contribution. "Todd has been a fantastic servant of the game in Canterbury both as a player and as captain of Canterbury and the Crusaders," Tew said.

"He has featured in a hugely successful era and has been an important part of that success.Not only is he an inspiring leader, Todd has also been a great mentor for younger players and our supporters literally worship him. Everyone involved with Canterbury and the Crusaders wish him all the best for his time in Scotland."

Although Blackadder was excited about the move to Scotland he admitted it wa a difficult decision to quit rugby in New Zealand.

"The hardest thing for me is to give up something that I treasure so much," Blackadder said. "I've been exceedingly fortunate to experience all that I have in the New Zealand game.Whether I have been playing for my club, at representative level or for the All Blacks, I have always felt a great deal of pride in the jersey and been grateful for the support that I have had. I would like to thank all the fans for the letters and messages of support that I have received through the years. Their kindness has meant a great deal to me.The memories I have gathered and the friends that I have made are and always will be very special to me.I will miss the Canterbury people and being with the boys."

A founder member of the Crusaders Super 12 side, he captained the side to consecutive Telecom Super 12 titles in 1998, 99 and 2000. Blackadder also led Canterbury as it won the Air New Zealand NPC title in 1997 and was a member of the side which lifted the Ranfurly Shield off Waikato last season.