Italy prop Cittadini swaps Wasps for Bayonne

4:52 PM GMT

Italy prop Lorenzo Cittadini has left Wasps to join French outfit Bayonne.

Wasps agreed to release the 33-year-old from the final year of his contract with the Aviva Premiership club, owing to the arrival of Ireland prop Marty Moore from Leinster.

Coventry outfit Wasps also boast Jake Cooper-Woolley and Phil Swainston among their tighthead ranks, and were unable to guarantee Cittadini regular rugby.

"Citta has been outstanding for Wasps during his two seasons with us," said rugby director Dai Young.

"He's a fantastic character to have around the training base and we have loved having him here.

"Because he's such a good guy and been so good for Wasps, we didn't want to stand in his way when he had the opportunity to secure a longer-term deal elsewhere, where he is likely to get more game time.

"We appreciate it is a better option for him and his family and we wish him the very best for the future."

Cittadini traded Treviso for Wasps in 2014, but now the 50-cap front-rower will move on to Basque club Bayonne.

"I would like to thank (Wasps owner) Derek Richardson, Dai Young and all the coaching staff for the opportunity they gave me to improve as a player and challenge at the highest level in England and Europe as well," he said.

"I have really enjoyed these two years at Wasps. Everybody made me feel at home.

"I want also to thank all the players, because it was really easy to settle in the team when I arrived.

"It was a very difficult decision to take. I feel very sad about leaving the club, but I want to look at this move as a very good opportunity in the last few years of my career."

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Italy prop Cittadini swaps Wasps for Bayonne