James Johnston will leave Harlequins to join Saracens when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Quins have confirmed they are losing the 26-year-old prop forward after being unable to agree a new deal.
“We are very disappointed to lose a player of James’ ability,” said the club’s director of rugby Conor O’Shea.
“Unfortunately, given the constraints of the salary cap, we were unable to meet his financial expectations so he has decided to move on at the end of the current season.
“But I know he will give his all to go out on a high from the club that has become his extended family and means a great deal to him.”
Johnston arrived at The Stoop in 2009 and has since made 88 appearances for Quins, including the Aviva Premiership final last May.
O’Shea added: “We’re in the fortunate position of having two of the most exciting young tight heads props in the country coming through our system in Will Collier and Kyle Sinckler.
“And we are confident that we will be able to recruit another experienced front row forward to complement them shortly.”
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This post was last modified on 15/01/2013