Queensland backrower Curtis Browning is headed to newly-promoted Top 14 club Lyon, the Reds confirmed on Wednesday.
Browning, a former schoolboy star, has 33 Super Rugby caps for his state and has showed promise recently in the number eight spot left vacant by injured Jake Schatz.
The 22-year-old captained the Australian Schoolboys and Australia U20s, but injuries have curtailed his Super Rugby career.
Browning was coming off contract at the end of this season and ultimately opted to head overseas.
The two-time U20s player of the year will join a star-studded Lyon team for the 2016-17 season that includes Rebels utility back Mike Harris and French flyhalf Freddie Michalak.
Browning joins openside Liam Gill as a Reds backrower heading to France, while Schatz is reportedly weighing up his future.
George Smith’s arrival will likely compensate for some of their losses as well as the return of Leroy Houston, while emerging players Michael Gunn and Adam Korczyk also in the mix.
Former Brisbane Broncos U20s player Caleb Timu will add to the Reds backrow in 2017, as well, after rupturing his ACL in his first training session with the team earlier this year.
