Family reasons behind Thompson’s departure to Wasps

England’s World Cup-winning hooker is joining Wasps on a three-year contract.

Speculation has been rife that the 32-year-old would be leaving after just one season at the club and chief executive Gary Hetherington confirmed to the Yorkshire Post last night that they had agreed to terminate his two-year contract by mutual consent.

Sale and Saracens were also interested in a player whose Premiership career was revived when Neil Back brought him to Leeds after a three-year spell with French club Brive.

Thompson has been one of the club’s outstanding players and has maintained his place in England’s match-day squad.

With a World Cup coming up in September his decision to move to a more stable Premiership environment is understandable given that Leeds will be relegated on Saturday if they fail to get at least a draw at Northampton, or if Newcastle win at Bath.

Reports suggested it was the club’s lack of player recruitment for next season that was a mitigating factor, and not their potential relegation, but Hetherington revealed they were alerted recently to Thompson’s need to move for family reasons. Hetherington said: “Steve’s got a daughter in the south and this move makes sense for him.”

Thompson, who has won 66 England caps, said: “As much as it has been a difficult season for Leeds on the pitch, I have really enjoyed my time here and met some great people and I am very grateful that they gave me the opportunity to return to the English game.

“However, I’m excited about the opportunity to go and play with Wasps for the next few seasons. I’ve been really impressed with some of their young players and I’m looking forward to being part of a team that is aiming to get back to the top of their game.”

Wasps chief executive Chris Thomas said: “Steve is exactly the type of front-row forward we have been looking for in our recruitment drive for next season.”

Leeds already have £2m in player wages committed to next season, which will be covered by a parachute payment of more than £2.6m if they are relegated, and in Andy Titterrell have a ready-made replacement to fill the vacancy left by Thompson, provided the former Sale hooker overcomes a knee ligament injury.

The club will begin paying back a debt of nearly £2m – accumulated through conventional borrowing from the bank – on July 1, having frozen their debt for 12 months last summer.