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Cipriani to rejoin Wasps

London - Sale Sharks flyhalf Danny Cipriani revealed on Tuesday he has agreed to rejoin former club Wasps from next season.

The 28-year-old had a season left to run on his existing Sale deal, but has chosen to exercise a break clause and return to Wasps on a reported two-year deal.

"I'm excited about returning to Wasps next season, for me, it really does feel like coming home," said Cipriani.

"In the professional era, players naturally move clubs more frequently than they used to, but I still feel such a strong connection with Wasps."

Cipriani left Wasps for Australian Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels in 2011, but returned to England to join Sale a year later.

The 14-times capped England flyhalf rejected triple European champions Toulon to sign a contract extension at Sale in February, but will now leave a year early this summer.

"It's where I learned my trade, alongside incredible players like Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Alex King, Fraser Waters, Josh Lewsey and Paul Sackey," he said.

"I have such good memories of that period in my life, I feel much more equipped to handle and deal with the expectation that comes when you put on the black and gold jersey.

"I feel next season will be the right time for a new challenge, at a club which in my heart will always feel like a second home, where I know I will settle quickly."

Wasps won two European Cups, Cipriani featuring in the 2007 triumph, before the club slipped to the brink of administration.

Owner Derek Richardson has since guided Wasps to financial security through the relocation to Coventry, however, leaving Cipriani impressed with that turnaround.

"It's brilliant to see how the club has rebuilt over the past couple of seasons," he said.

"The potential of the squad that Dai (Young) has developed is really exciting and I have been impressed by the ambition Wasps has shown since Derek Richardson took over and stabilised things.

"I'm really looking forward to playing alongside guys I started my career with, like James Haskell, Joe Simpson, Christian Wade and Elliot Daly, in a squad that loves to play attacking, expansive rugby."

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