Legendary All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane has confirmed he is set to join Leinster next season.

Ioane is following in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi and All-Black superstar Jordie Barrett, who has enjoyed a remarkable spell since coming to Dublin.

The 28-year-old has a sabbatical clause in his contract that allows him to miss one Super Rugby Pacific season with the Blues to spend six months abroad.

However, he remains committed to the All Blacks through to the 2027 World Cup.

In his homeland, there was some talk that he had the option to take up a lucrative contract in Japan where his older brother Akira plays.

But in a post on his social media, Ioane wrote: "I’ll be heading to Leinster at the end of the year on a sabbatical break.

"It’s an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family.

"Will be back refreshed and ready to rock second half of 2026."

No mention has been made of who will pick up the bill for Ioane's considerable wages while he is sampling a taste of Northern Hemisphere club rugby.

But even as a 21-year-old, he was rumoured to have been made one of the All Blacks' highest-paid players.

In 2023, there were reports in New Zealand, the player who plays for the Blues in Auckland had signed a 'mega' four-year deal to keep him there till 2027.

While no official figures were revealed, there was some speculation he was likely to be earning NZ$1m a year, which is just over €500,000.

If Leinster are to foot the bill for his six-month stay in Ireland, then the club could be looking at a bill in the region of €250,000 to cover the cost of his stay.

Ioane is estimated to be worth between €1m and €5m after wages and sponsorship deals, two with Adidas, are taken into account.

Photo: New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane leads the Haka. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland