A – Long-serving All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is leaving New Zealand to play English club rugby.

Weepu has confirmed he has signed a two-year deal with newly promoted Premiership club London Welsh and is committed to playing their first competition game on September 7 – his 31st birthday.

An accomplished reader of the game, Weepu played the first of his 71 Tests as a 21-year-old but struggled to nail down a starting position over the next decade.

His appearances off the reserve bench are a world Test record and testament to playing second-fiddle for long periods to the likes of Byron Kelleher, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis and incumbent starting No.9 Aaron Smith.

A controversial omission from the 2007 World Cup squad, Weepu made amends with an influential performance in the All Blacks’ surge to victory at the 2011 tournament.

He started all three knockout matches and landed a number of crucial shots at goal as well as controlling play with aplomb.

The 14th most-capped All Black, he is second in the halfback stakes behind Justin Marshall’s 81 Tests.

Weepu scored 103 Test points, including seven tries, and was captain for one midweek game, against Irish club Munster in 2008.

His last Test was more than a year ago, with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen preferring a younger group for the past three campaigns.

Weepu, who was diagnosed earlier this season with a hole in his heart after suffering a minor stroke, had also been leapfrogged in Super Rugby as first-choice Blues halfback by Bryn Hall, adding to his desire to look offshore.

“I’m hugely excited by the opportunity of joining London Welsh and at the challenge of playing in the Premiership – consistently one of the best leagues in world rugby,” he said in a statement.

London Welsh coach Justin Burnell says he met Weepu at the world Club 10s tournament in Singapore last month and knew he made a good signing.

“It’s a massive statement of intent from the club in regard to its drive to be able to compete in the Premiership next season – and not just survive,” Burnell said.

“It’s also going to be a fantastic opportunity for the younger players within our squad to mix and learn from a player of Piri’s experience and ability. As a player, his skill set is unbelievable; his kicking game and tactical appreciation are tremendous.”

At provincial level, Weepu played for Auckland and Wellington, as well as representing New Zealand Maori.

He joined the Blues in 2012 after eight seasons with the Hurricanes.