David Strettle re-signs for Saracens from 2018/19 after agreeing new one-year contract to leave Clermont Auvergne

Former England international will return to Allianz Park for the 2018/19 season

David Strettle will return to Saracens for the 2018/19 season (Getty)

Saracens have re-signed former England wing David Strettle on a one-year contract following the news that Chris Wyles will retire at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

The 34-year-old will return to Allianz Park in the summer three years after leaving for Clermont Auvergne, where he was crowned the club’s top try-scorer in 2015/16 and 2016/17 and also helped them to win the French Top 14 title last season.

Strettle also came up against Saracens in the European Champions Cup final last year, although his former side took the spoils in Edinburgh, and he admitted that the move back to Barnet is one that feels like he is “returning home”.

“I already have some unforgettable memories at Saracens – they have always had a place in my heart,” Strettle said. “An opportunity arose in France which I took as a fresh challenge, but now I can’t wait to come home and hopefully make some more great memories. Some of my best friends are at Saracens, so I can’t wait to get back out on the field and be a part of the same team with them again.”

Strettle, who despite leaving Saracens remained in the players’ WhatsApp group given his popularity among his teammates, is contracted until the end of the 2018/19 campaign, and the former Harlequins and Rotherham wing will once again be eligible for England heading towards the Rugby World Cup – although Eddie Jones is unlikely to pick him due to his current wealth of options unless Strettle can hit the ground running and rekindle his form of old.

The 14-time capped wing also explained how his family factored into the decision to return to the English top flight, with the 59-time Premiership try-scorer having a daughter and wife to think about as well as his rugby commitments.

Strettle won the Top 14 title with Clermont Auvergne last season (Getty)

“I now have a wife and a fantastic daughter – we are looking forward to bringing them back to London, where I know Saracens will welcome us all with open arms,” he added.

“It’s a dream come true to be returning to the club and I can’t wait for the start of next season at Allianz Park.”

The announcement comes a day after United States international Wyles confirmed that he will retire at the end of the season to concentrate on Wolf Pack Lager, the business that he set up with former Saracens captain Alistair Hargreaves.

Chris Wyles will retire at the end of the season (Getty)

"There was an opportunity to continue but it feels like now is the perfect time to step away from rugby," Wyles said.

“It’s been an incredibly tough decision to make,” reflected Wyles. “There was an opportunity to continue my time at Saracens but it feels like now is the perfect time to step away from rugby and turn my attention full time to Wolf Pack Lager.

“I’d like to thank Saracens for the huge amount of support they have given me and my family throughout the years. If it weren’t for the backing of the club, Wolf Pack Lager would not be in the position it is today.”