Former Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper has dropped the biggest hint yet he’ll sign with the Melbourne Rebels while delivering an in-your-face message to Brad Thorn.

In a not-so-cryptic social media post, the 30-year-old said the Queensland Reds had “forced” him out of the Super Rugby team he loves but “but thank God there’s more than one place that loves me”.

Melbourne could announce the signing of the veteran playmaker, who failed to play a Super Rugby game for the Reds last season, as early as the end of the week.

The Rebels couldn’t be contacted for comment but Cooper has previously been linked with a move south.

He reportedly rebuffed a Rebels approach during the Super Rugby season.

Cooper was frozen out by Reds coach Thorn from the outset this season and settled for playing club rugby and representing Brisbane City in the NRC, while on a Reds salary in excess of $600,000.

Thorn said in February he “wanted to have a change of where we’re going” when addressing Cooper’s omission. He said Cooper was free to pursue a rugby contract elsewhere.

The 70-Test veteran hasn’t commented publicly on his attitude towards Thorn and the Reds until the provocative Instagram post.

The post was accompanied by an image of Cooper fending a grasping Thorn during the trans-Tasman semi-final of the 2011 World Cup at Eden Park.

The match, won 20-6 by the All Blacks, was the penultimate Test of Thorn’s 59-cap career.

Cooper hasn’t played a Test for 16 months but good form in Super Rugby next year, potentially alongside former Reds halves partner Will Genia, could see him force a place in next year’s World Cup squad.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has said he will look closely at Cooper if he can get regular top rugby as a starting playmaker.