Utility back Glenn Dickson, who captained Otago at the end of last season, and lock Rob Verbakel, have signed contracts to play for the Northampton Saints in the English premiership next season.
Dickson (26) has signed a two-year deal with the club and will head to Franklin's Gardens in mid June to get ready for the next northern season.
Playing overseas was a big consideration for Dickson after he finished Otago's season last year, and he spent little time dithering.
''I was actually just trying to get into Japan and waiting for something to open up there.
''But then I got put on to a friend of [former Otago captain] Eben Joubert, who started things rolling,'' Dickson said.
''At the end of the last Otago season I was always going to go.
''It wasn't a tough decision to make, really. I was surprised the way it came about but [it's] something I'm really excited about.''
He will not play for club side Pirates before he heads overseas with partner Anna Tyrie.
The Saints have a long-standing New Zealand connection, with Wayne Smith a former coach at the club.
The side has former Highlanders utility James Wilson on its books as well as former North Harbour representatives, brothers George and Ken Pisi.
English players Ben Foden, Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley are also in its ranks, as is former North Otago player and England loose forward Tom Wood. Dickson never cracked the Highlanders, which he said was a disappointment, but one he could not get too upset about.
He made the wider training squad last year but ran into injury trouble, first through tearing ligaments in his wrist and then breaking his cheek bone.
''It was unfortunate as injuries got in the road a wee bit, but that was how it panned out.
''But I've always wanted to be a professional rugby player and this is what is going to allow me to do that.''
Dickson said the highlight of his 46 games for Otago was beating Auckland at Eden Park in 2011, the first win for Otago at the ground for 35 years.
He made his debut for Otago in 2008.
''There were a lot of great games but to be able to make history at Eden Park was pretty special.''
Dickson was an underrated performer in many ways, had a massive boot and was an accurate goalkicker. One wonders how he would have gone at the next level.
But we will never know, although he said he might come back to try to play 50 games for Otago.
Verbakel (25) joined Otago in 2011 and is an athletic lock who took the game up late after playing basketball at school.
He was a mainstay for the Otago side last year, won his share of lineout ball and showed good ball-handling skills. He played 15 games for Otago, having previously played for Canterbury.
But he never came into the frame for the Highlanders and after a stint playing for Glasgow Warriors in the 2011-12 season, he is heading back overseas.
A qualified engineer, Verbakel could not be contacted yesterday.
His Dutch ancestry means he is not classed as an overseas player when playing for Northampton.
