Carl Fearns will not be joining Gloucester this season.

The Premiership club have confirmed that Fearns will be staying in France to continue playing his rugby in the Top 14 with Lyon, despite putting pen to paper on a three-year contract to join the Cherry and Whites.

The former Bath player was contracted to Gloucester from 2017-18 onwards but the French side have made concerted efforts in recent months to persuade Fearns to stay, offering him significantly increased personal terms.

Gloucester chief executive Stephen Vaughan said: “I want players who buy into what we are trying to achieve here, who want to represent the club, the city and the community, to wear the Cherry and White shirt with pride. Carl had a desire to be part of this, but has now evidently decided otherwise.

“Naturally the club took the best legal advice on the situation, but as soon as it became apparent the player wanted to remain in France efforts immediately turned to getting the best possible deal for the club to allow us to move on in a stronger position.

“I am very happy at the outcome and we have agreed significant compensation that will all be used on strengthening the playing group further.”

Nevertheless, it is clearly disappointing for Gloucester’s supporters that they are not going to see the back row playing at Kingsholm over the coming months and years.

“David Humphreys worked extremely hard last year to agree terms with the player and his agent,” said Vaughan. “He was a sought-after commodity; our offer was excellent and we announced Carl as our first signing for the 2017-18 season.

“We have refused to be bullied and have trusted a signature upon a contract meaning something. However, after lengthy negotiations, a suitable compensation figure has now been agreed upon that will allow us to strengthen the squad and David Humphreys deserves enormous credit for the role he has played in recent weeks.

“We find ourselves in a stronger position as a club now thatw this matter has been resolved.

“We are now looking forward with a squad of fully committed players set to report for pre-season training later this month, and will be making some announcements regarding new signings in the not too distant future.”