Daniel Carter has finally put pen to paper on his New Zealand Rugby Union contract after signing until the end of 2011.

The deal includes the option of a six-month sabbatical but the outhalf said he was no closer to deciding where that would be.

Newly-promoted French club Toulon, coached by his former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga, are one option and have reportedly offered the 26-year-old a big money deal for a six-month stint and he has confirmed there is one other club interested but has refused to name them.

Carter admitted it was "a weight off the shoulders" after signing on the dotted line today and he also revealed he had spoken to Umaga as he continued his fact-finding mission on Toulon.

"I had a good chat with (Tana)," the Crusaders number 10 said. "He was extremely honest about the club and the city. It was really good to get (the opinion of) a player that I know and respect. It'll help when I'm deciding where to go.

"He was extremely positive. He's trying to make a few changes in the club which is good."

Carter's signing comes hot on the heels of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw's decision to stick with New Zealand rugby.

McCaw also has a sabbatical option in his contract but said rather than chase a lucrative deal abroad, he would be more likely to use his six months as a chance to rest, given the battering his body takes in the course of a year, although he stressed he was not planning to exercise the option in the near future.