England rugby league halfback Kyle Eastmond is to switch codes and join rugby union side Bath at the end of the season.

In a statement, Super League club St Helens announced that the 21-year-old player had rejected the club's offer of a new contract.

Eastmond said: "St Helens have been fantastic with me since I joined them 10 years ago and I am deeply indebted to them for their amazing support.

"I intend to give everything to the club, its supporters and my fellow players in my final season."

Tuesday's announcement ends weeks of intense speculation over the future of the Oldham-born Eastmond, who spoke to Sale before meeting with Bath officials earlier this year.

The player's pace off the mark and elusive footwork has brought comparisons with another dual-code player Jason Robinson.

He came through the Saints youth system after joining the club at the age of 13 and made his Super League debut at five-eighth against Salford at the age of 17 in a 27-26 win in June 2007.

Eastmond won the first of four England caps against France in 2009 but missed all of last year's internationals through injury.

His 54 appearances in Super League have so far brought him 32 tries and 113 goals and, although he was leading scorer for his club in 2010, his form in Saints' first three games has been indifferent and he was booed off by supporters after Friday's loss to Warrington.

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