Leinster have announced that Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton will be returning to the province at the end of this season.

The IRFU had offered the current Racing Metro player a deal which would see him back in Ireland at the close of the 2014/15 season and he has now accepted that contract.

It will run until  the end of November 2019.

"I am pleased to be re-joining Leinster, the club where I started my professional career.  I grew up playing my rugby in Leinster and always wanting to pull on the blue jersey so I am delighted to be able to return to play my club rugby in Ireland," said the 29-year-old, who will have spent two years in France when he officially returns at the end of the season.

It will mean that Sexton will be back on home soil ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Commenting on the development, IRFU CEO Philip Browne said, "Jonathan is one the best out-halves in world rugby and the IRFU are delighted that he will be playing his rugby in Ireland.  Irish rugby will benefit hugely from having a player of his calibre playing full-time in Ireland.”