England fly-half Charlie Hodgson will leave Sale at the end of the season, the Premiership club announced on Sunday.

Hodgson, 30, has spent his entire 11-season professional career with Sale since joining the north-west side straight from university and has helped the club win the English title as well as two European Challenge Cups.

But Sale are currently 10th in the 12-team Premiership and recently sacked coach Mike Brewer.

Hodgson has been linked with a move to Premiership highflyers Saracens although neither he nor they have said anything publicly about any deal.

"Irrespective of what has happened this season at the club I wanted a new challenge elsewhere," Hodgson said in a statement issued by Sale.

"I am not getting any younger and wouldn't want to hang up my boots wondering whether I should have moved."

Hodgson has scored a Premiership record 1,753 points for Sale and their chief executive, Mick Hogan, said: "We are naturally disappointed that Charlie has told us that he will be leaving the club but would like to thank him for all his efforts over the past 11 seasons.

"Without doubt he will be considered one of the greatest players to ever play for Sale Sharks.

"We made it clear to Charlie that we wanted him to stay at Sale but understand his reasons for wishing to move on.

"We know what a difficult decision this has been for Charlie to make and the club are thankful for the early indication he has given us on his future."

Hodgson won the last of his 34 caps when he came off the bench in England's Test loss to the Springboks in November.

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