England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson has signed to play for Toulon next season in a deal worth up to one million euros ($A1.77 million), the big-spending French club confirmed on Monday.

The injury-plagued Wilkinson, who will be 30 on May 25, has been at Newcastle since 1997 and kicked the crucial drop goal which secured the 2003 World Cup for England.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is a long time admirer of the injury-plagued fly-half who has 70 caps and 1,032 international points to his name.

He claimed his new high profile recruit had been seduced by the atmosphere at Toulon and the local area.

Boudjellal added: "And frankly he didn't cost a lot of money. The negotiations were very quick and his salary is the current market price for a player like him.

"Concerning his physical state I met someone who was very serene, who knows where he's come from. He's here for the sporting project and for the objective of the 2011 World Cup with England.

Toulon, who finished ninth in the French Top 14 this season after a campaign battling the fear of relegation, will have ex-French international Philippe Saint-Andre in place as sporting director next season.

Saint-Andre, speaking at Monday's press conference, made reference to Wilkinson's lengthy medical history - he has not played since dislocating a kneecap at Gloucester last September.

"Of course he's going to undergo medical tests. We want him to be 100 per cent. But he's very motivated and he's a player who scores in good times and reassures in weaker times," he said.

Wilkinson, a French speaker who has the option to stay on for a further season, will be officially unveiled as a Toulon player on May 26.

Newcastle director of rugby, Steve Bates hailed Wilkinson's contribution to the club, saying: "Jonny will undoubtedly go down as one of Newcastle's all-time greats.

"He has contributed an incredible amount to this club over the past 12 seasons, and been an inspirational figurehead for rugby in the North-East.

"Even during the times when his appearances for us were restricted he has always remained a positive presence behind the scenes, and everyone here thanks him for his fantastic service as well as wishing him all the best for his new life over in France."

He added: "There is naturally a sadness in saying goodbye to someone who has contributed so much to this club, but with our ambitious recruitment here this summer everybody at Newcastle Falcons is really excited about our prospects for next season and beyond."

Wilkinson was one of a number of new faces announced by Toulon for next season, the list including Leinster's Argentine fly-half Felipe Contempomi, Christian Loamanu, South African forward Senekal Dewald, Rory Lamont, Clermont duo Pierre Mignoni and Laurent Emmanuelli and Sale hooker Sebastien Bruno.

He is the latest England international to be lured to France's top 14, following the likes of Wasps trio James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer, Gloucester wing Iain Balshaw, and Wilkinson's Newcastle colleague Jamie Noon.

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