Charlie Hodgson in summer switch to Saracens

• Fly-half Charlie Hodgson will bring a long spell with Sale to an end when he joins Saracens. Picture: Getty

The 30-year-old had made clear his intentions to leave current club Sale after 11 seasons with the Sharks and Saracens were one of the clubs he had been linked with.

The London outfit have wasted little time in sealing the switch and Hodgson, who has won 34 England caps and toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2005, told the Saracens website: "I am excited to be joining a club now recognised as the most ambitious and player-friendly in the Premiership.

"Saracens have great people and great plans - there really is something special happening in north London, and I'm looking forward to being part of it."

Hodgson joined Sale straight from university and has gone on to score a Premiership record 1,753 points for the Edgeley Park side, including the 13 he registered in their win over his future employers eight days ago.

His boot helped steer them to the league title in 2006 but the Sharks have endured some tough times since that peak and they currently lie 10th in the table, having parted company with coach Mike Brewer two days before Christmas.

Hodgson made it clear in his weekend statement announcing his intention to leave that he was looking for a new challenge on the rugby field.

"Irrespective of what has happened this season at the club I wanted a new challenge elsewhere," he said. "I am not getting any younger and wouldn't want to hang up my boots wondering whether I should have moved.''

The loss of Hodgson is a major blow to Sale and owner Brian Kennedy is also facing a struggle to hold on to England prop Andrew Sheridan, who is poised to move to France in the summer.

Hodgson made his England debut against Romania in 2001, scoring a record 44 points in a crushing 134-0 win at Twickenham, and the player featured in last November's internationals against Australia, Samoa and South Africa after returning from shoulder surgery.

His arrival will provide Saracens with real authority and a clear first-choice No 10 as they continue to seek a first Premiership title.

The Vicarage Road side had rotated between Derick Hougaard and Alex Goode this season until the South African ruptured his Achilles tendon in October.

Teenager Owen Farrell has filled the role in recent weeks with Goode restored to his more familiar role of full-back.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall, placed in charge with Brendan Venter returning to South Africa, is confident Hodgson can take his side to the next level.

He said: "As a club, we have been making massive strives over the past couple of years and the signing of Charlie Hodgson is another major step.

"He is a world class player whose personality and ability ideally suits our environment. Charlie was wanted by many leading clubs, and we are delighted he has chosen to sign with Saracens."x