Gloucester have confirmed that Scotland flank Alasdair Strokosch will be leaving the club at the end of the current season to take up a contract with French Top 14 side Perpignan.

Strokosch, who is currently away with Scotland on Six Nations duty, has spent the past five seasons at Kingsholm since joining from Edinburgh.

His workrate, his endeavour and his professionalism have seen him become a fixture in the Gloucester starting line up and he has gone on to make more than 100 appearances.

Head coach Bryan Redpath admitted that the loss of Strokosch is a blow but added that he will depart with the best wishes of everyone at the club.

"It's a shame that he’ll be leaving us at the end of the season because Strokes has been a top professional in his time with us. He's never delivered less than 100% in the Cherry and White of Gloucester and his will be big boots to fill.

"However, I can completely understand his desire to test himself in a different playing environment at this stage of his career. It's something I did myself in my playing days.

"He's been completely up front with us, he's handled things with a lot of class and I know, that when he gets back from Scotland, that he'll be looking to end his Gloucester career on a high. We all wish him well," he added.