WORCESTER announced the departure of Christian Scotland-Williamson yesterday and signing of fellow second row Anton Bresler.

Worcester said Scotland-Williamson had left this week with the aim of playing in the NFL next year.

And the Premiership club announced shortly afterwards that they had signed Namibian-born Bresler from Edinburgh.

The Warriors said Scotland-Williamson will be heading out to Florida to work with NFL coaches over the next few months in the hope of earning a place on an NFL team roster for the 2018 season.

The 24-year-old has made 23 appearances for Worcester since joining them in 2014, with his time at the club considerably disrupted by injuries.

Scotland-Williamson said: “I’d like to thank everyone at Sixways for all the support over the years.

“I appreciate everything they have done for me, giving me the opportunity to play professional rugby, playing against some of the top players in the world and also helping me recover from injuries in what was a tough time for me.

“Worcester is a great club where I have made many lifelong friends and I have no doubt they will continue to move forward and compete with the top sides in the league and Europe in years to come.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and one that I simply can’t turn down. I’m incredibly excited about testing myself and trying to get on the team roster at an NFL club.”

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “While it’s disappointing to lose a player of Christian’s talent, we understand this is a lifelong dream of his to play American football.

“We wish him all the best of luck in his next venture and thank him for his continued efforts at Sixways over the past few years.

“Anton is a big powerful unit who will add physicality and experience to the pack.

“Having worked with him at Edinburgh, Anton is a great character and a team man who will fit in very well at Sixways.”