The second rower and former co-captain has agreed to a two-year deal with Irish powerhouse Ulster.

“I have loved my time at the Brumbies and have made many great memories that will live with me for the rest of my rugby career,” Carter commented of his move North.

“The Brumbies are all I have known rugby-wise, so it was a difficult decision to make, but I feel the time is right for me and my wife, Maddie, to experience a new challenge and the chance to join Ulster was too good to turn down.

“I’d like to thank everyone connected with the club for their support over the years and especially the Brumbies fan base who have been exceptional throughout my time at the club. I am fully committed for the 2019 Super Rugby season and looking forward to playing my part to the full.”

Having made over 100 appearances in a near 10-year association with the Brumbies, Carter will take a wealth of experience into his new adventure in Ireland following in the footsteps of Christian Lealiifano and Henry Speight who both enjoyed short-term loan deals at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

The 29-year-old made his Brumbies debut in 2011 against the Rebels in Canberra and has been capped 16 times by the Wallabies since first pulling on the gold jersey against France in 2014.

“Sam has been a stalwart for the Brumbies for nearly a decade and we thank him for his service to the club,” Plus500 Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson said.

“There aren’t many players who have worn the Brumbies jersey on more than 100 occasions and Sam will always be welcome back in Canberra. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.”