‘Retired’ Goosen to join Gloucester?

Cape Town - Springbok fullback Johan Goosen is reportedly linked with a move to Gloucester, following his shock retirement from rugby.

It reported to be taking up a commercial director's job in South Africa, a decision which left French champions Racing fuming.

His sudden urge to step down saw his French club, Racing 92, threatening the 24-year-old with legal action.

"Johan Goosen, whose contract was renegotiated less than a year ago, now claims to be releasing himself in an extraordinary manner by announcing he has made the unbelievable decision to return to South Africa for a role of commercial director," said Racing president Jacky Lorenzetti.

"Racing 92 reserves the right for a judicial follow-up to both Johan Goosen and those who advise him.”

According to a report on the French website Midi Olympique, Goosen could join Gloucester and has reportedly held discussions with Mohed Altrad, who is the owner of Montpellier and is set to become the club's majority shareholder.

French rugby journalist, Gavin Mortimer posted a series of tweets claiming Goosen quit Racing in a bid to force a move to Gloucester (see Twitter thread below).

Goosen was named Top 14 Player of the Season for 2015/16 after helping the club win the French title and reaching the Champions Cup final.

He has won 13 caps for South Africa since making his debut in 2012, start at fullback for the Springboks in their most recent Test against Wales.

Goosen moved to France in 2014 after beginning his professional career with the Cheetahs in Super Rugby.

Here it comes...
Midi confirms all that was reported on Friday concerning Goosen's decision to retire in order to escape Racing contract
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— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) December 19, 2016

But paper points out that LNR rules prohibit a player who does what Goosen has done from playing for another French club for 18 months
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— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) December 19, 2016

But that's not a problem for Goosen, nor for Mohed Altrad, who @midi_olympique says is indeed his suitor
Why?
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— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) December 19, 2016

Because Altrad wants Goosen to play not for Montpellier, but for Gloucester, and obviously in England the LNR rules don't apply
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— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) December 19, 2016

Racing president Jacky Lorezentti, perhaps not surprisingly, is furious. Calls Goosen's decision to retire "a grotesque fraud"
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— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) December 19, 2016

He confirms that the club is in the process of launching legal proceedings, and that Goosen's release clause is €1m
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— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) December 19, 2016