Brumbies outside back Mack Hansen has confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season, signing a deal with Irish club Connacht.
Hansen made his debut for the Brumbies in 2019, having worked his way through the pathways with Gungahlin.
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Since then, the 23-year-old has cemented himself in the starting line-up on the wing, experiencing a breakout 2020 campaign.
Hansen admitted that the decision to play in Ireland, as his mother was born in Cork, along with traveling the world was too tough to turn down.
"I'd firstly like to thank everyone involved at the Brumbies and in the ACT Rugby community for giving me the opportunity to live out my boyhood dream representing this club," Hansen said in a statement.
"As a proud Canberran, all I ever wanted was to pull on the Brumbies jersey and to be able to represent our region.
"The opportunity to be able to travel the world and continue to play the game I love overseas was one that was difficult to turn down and I hope to be back playing here in Canberra in the future.
"Having an experience outside of Canberra, not just as a rugby player but as a person as well is something I'm excited about but I'll be keeping a keen eye on how the boys go back home and hope to be back one day."
Whilst coach Dan McKellar was disappointed to see him go, he was excited to see how Hansen would develop in a different environment.
"We're really disappointed Mack won't be at the club next season but understand his desire as a young man to want to see the world and experience a new culture," he added.
"It's one of the real advantages of our international game and I'm sure Mack will continue to grow as a player and person through that experience.
"He's a real character of our squad and no doubt will be missed by the team and the organisation and we really hope to see him back at the Brumbies in the not too distant future."
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