Chris Ashton has joined Sale Sharks after being released from his Toulon contract by mutual consent.
Ashton, 31, is reported to have held talks with both Sale Sharks and Harlequins over a move, but opted to join Sale as he looks to salvage his England career ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
The former Saracens back only spent one year at Toulon despite signing a three-year deal with the club in 2017, but has been released due to family issues.
“At the request of the player, Rugby Club Toulonnais decided to release Chris Ashton from the two years remaining of his contract,” a statement from the French club read.
“The English player was no longer in psychological condition to remain in France, and therefore with RCT, because of important family problems.
“RCT wishes Chris Ashton good luck in pursuing his sporting career.”
Ashton last played for England back in 2014, but was dropped before the 2015 World Cup despite scoring 19 tries in 39 appearances.
However, he’s looking forward to returning to English rugby and back to his native north-west when he began his sporting career in rugby league with Wigan.
“This really feels like going home,” Ashton said in a statement. “I’ve always thought, in the back of my mind, that I’d return to the north to play rugby and I’m delighted to be joining Sale Sharks.”
Since 2012, the RFU have ruled that England players cannot be selected for the national team if they play outside England apart from in “exceptional circumstances”.
Now that Ashton has returned to the Premiership, he will now be available for England selection again.