Colin Slade© Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Colin Slade says the decision to join Pau is as much a lifestyle or financial decision than a rugby one.

Slade is set to earn in the region of €500,000 a season at newly promoted Pau and will be there for the next three years. Slade is their second marquee All Black signing and will follow in the footsteps of veteran outside centre Conrad Smith in swapping New Zealand for Pau. Pau's promotion to the Top 14 was confirmed on Saturday following their 31-5 win over Montauban and Slade is looking forward to settling into his new surroundings.

"It is not just a rugby decision, a lifestyle decision or a financial decision," Slade said. "It is a combination of all three and with the stage of where I am in my life and my career, my wife and I have always wanted to do a bit of travel as well. I have always been pretty clear I wanted to go overseas at some point. It is exciting."

He will work under fellow Kiwi Simon Mannix at Pau and Slade is hoping to eventually play in the Champions Cup at the French club.

"This is certainly not a decision taken lightly," Slade said. "I have given it a lot of thought and considered all my options, but I am now satisfied that moving to Pau after this year is the right decision for me at this point in my life. Pau is a club with great ambition that is really keen to establish itself in France, and the chance to play in the Top 14 and potentially European Cup is an exciting new challenge for me. My wife and I are also excited to have the opportunity to live in the South of France and travel around Europe in between rugby commitments.

"I am very grateful for my time here in New Zealand and have been honoured to have played in some great teams, alongside many of the best players in the world. I am also grateful to NZ Rugby for their genuine efforts throughout the decision making process. I want to make it clear that I still have goals to achieve this year and remain absolutely committed to giving 100% until I leave."

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has already spoken of the difficult task he faces come 2016 when a number of his premier players are overseas and Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder also says Slade will be missed at the franchise.

"We brought him back to the Crusaders because we knew he had a lot of great rugby left in him, so clearly we are sad to be losing him at the end of this season," Blackadder said. "However, we respect his decision to move on and will send him off at the end of the year with our very best wishes."