Blue Bulls flyhalf Burton Francis has signed a deal with the Golden Lions Rugby Union, after the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd agreed to release the player of his contract.

Francis, who was the Vodacom Cup Player of the Year in 2008, wants to join a franchise where he can be the first choice in his position and therefore the Bulls felt it was in the best interest of the player to release him.

He will join up with the Johannesburg-based team on 1 November, but he will be in the Blue Bulls' Currie Cup squad until the end of the month.

With Morne Steyn being the country's number one flyhalf, Francis was sitting on the bench for the majority of the Super 14 tournament and it is understandable that the talented youngster wants to spread his wings and further his career elsewhere.

The Blue Bulls said in a statement they would like to thank Francis for his contribution over the last four years and "everybody at Loftus Versfeld would like to wish him all the best for the future".

He has been part of the triumphant 2009 Super 14 team and his name will be in the annals of Blue Bulls rugby for year to come.

With the departure of Francis it is worth noting that the Bulls have, apart from Morne Steyn, excellent depth at flyhalf.

The versatile Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who can slot in at flyhalf, centre and fullback, has recently signed a contract with the Bulls and in Francois Brummer, Louis Boshoff, JC Roos and Marnitz Boshoff the Bulls have some of our country's best No.10s.

Roos and Louis Boshoff are both still Under-19, but they play a very mature game and Brummer (SA U19 & SA U20) has showed in the Currie Cup that he has the temperament to match his astonishing talent, whilst Marnitz Boshoff, who is a former SA Schools flyhalf, continues to deliver week in and week out in the national Under-21 competition.