Scotland hooker Dougie Hall, 26, has agreed a return to former club Glasgow Warriors after rejecting a new contract offer from Edinburgh.
Hall, capped 19 times by Scotland, said: "I think every player thinks carefully about where they want to play when it's time to renew contracts.
"I seriously considered staying with Edinburgh and looked at other offers not just in Scotland.
"It's important for players to challenge themselves in new ways."
Glasgow will be the only professional outfit funded by the Scottish Rugby Union next season.
Magners League rivals Edinburgh are already independently run and Border Reivers are either set for private ownership or disbandment.
Glasgow Warriors coach Sean Lineen added: "Dougie's move sends a really positive message not just to the Warriors but to Scottish rugby.
"We were very close to concluding a deal, but he had intimated a desire to pursue a career in France""I'm already planning for a stronger squad for next season and it's exciting to think Dougie will now be part of it, in a pretty impressive pack.
"This is my first player signing since the recent decision on our pro teams and there will be more to follow.
"I'm confident Dougie will fit in well with the forwards and Glasgow will welcome him back."
Edinburgh had been confident of keeping Hall and had not expected him to join Glasgow.
They had claimed at the end of March to be "99%" confident he would stay in the Scottish capital.
Hall played in each match for Scotland during their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign and Edinburgh believed a move to France was the only other option he was considering.
Edinburgh executive chairman Alex Carruthers said: "While we are disappointed to have lost Dougie to Glasgow, we are also delighted that he is staying in Scotland.
"We were very close to concluding a deal, but he had intimated a desire to pursue a career in France and we are therefore glad that the SRU and Glasgow have found the necessary resource to keep him in Scotland."